Many of you will certainly not have missed the phantasmagoric spectacle of the New Year's Supermoon! Not only. The wonderful satellite of the Earth, unsatisfied, gave us the same bright view on December XNUMXst. Did you miss the Superluna event? no problem! another is expected at the end of this month, the 31st January. Certainly the immense Moon favors an almost dreamlike celestial vision, the perfect background for lovers, but what is the Supermoon scientifically? Why does such an interesting fact occur? Let's find out together!
The Super Moon: explanation of the phenomenon
In reality, the term Superluna has nothing scientific about it. Moreover, it is not even as rare an event as you think. Let's start by saying that this phenomenon is called more precisely lunar perigee, and that is none other than the approach of the Moon to our planet, the Earth. The resulting visual effect consists of a increase in the apparent size of the satellite with respect to the terrestrial point of view. The Moon, seen in the perigee phase, is in fact 14% larger and 30% more sparkling. This happens because, in that position, the distance between the lunar sphere and that of the Earth is 48.000 Km.
However, false beliefs also gravitate around the Supermoon: it is mistakenly thought that in these situations, the tides can be more frequent and violent, due to the bond that has always united the two natural manifestations. Indeed, the tides may be wider than normal, but this would not cause any devastating effect on our planet.
The SuperLuna becomes… blue
But 2018 has decided to overdo it. In addition to the magical spectacle of the SuperLuna, an even more special one is expected. On the night of January 31, in fact, something astounding will happen! by an astral coincidence, there will even be two SuperMoons. In this circumstance we speak of SuperLuna Blue, because it is the second full Moon that occurs in a solar month. The adjective blu is probably associated with the distortion of an old English term, belewe (attributable to betrayal, betray). The blue moon would be one traitor, because upsets the end and the beginning of a season. In fact, of the three Moons scheduled for a season, the Blue Moon becomes the fourth Moon, the one not budgeted for.
The enchantment continues: upcoming astronomical events
In the solar year other important astronomical events are also foreseen, first of all that of 27th July. On this special day, in fact, the Luna e Mars They will meet. The Moon will be dyed red, and a 'total lunar eclipse. In fact, Mars will be in opposition to the Sun (and will be easily visible), while the Moon will flank it and become reddish due to the shadow created by the total eclipse. But that's not all: Jupiter e Saturn will reach the opposition, and the point of best observability, respectively 9st May and the 27nd June. For those who are passionate about stellar visions, we strongly recommend not to miss the appointment of the August 12th, where the Perseid meteors will offer a wonderful appearance!
