Final supermoon of the year rises to the occasion with a stunning show
THE SUPERMOON, which has appeared after sunset and early in the morning over the last three days, has been captured in some spectacular photographs.
It appears around six per cent larger than a typical full moon as its orbit brings its path closest to the Earth.
Last night’s appearance was to be its third and final one this year.
Greg Brown, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory, said: “The moon’s orbit around the Earth is not entirely circular, instead a slightly flattened circle or ellipse.
“As such, it is sometimes closer to and sometimes further away from the Earth.
“While definitions vary, a supermoon typically occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon being within the closest 10 per cent of its orbit.”
The opposite event is known as a ‘micromoon’, when it appears around 14 per cent smaller.
“Because of how the dynamics of orbits work, these usually occur in runs of two or three with longer gaps of several months between each set of supermoons,” added Dr Brown.
When a full moon lands in May, it is known as the flower moon, signifying the spring season and the blossoms that bloom.
Greg Brown, Royal Observatory.
Other names include the hare moon, the corn planting moon, and the milk moon, according to the Royal Observatory.
Dr Brown added that moonrise can vary by around 10 minutes in time in different parts of the UK. In London, it was due to set at around 5.42am yesterday and rose around 8.44pm.
“Technically the exact moment of full moon is 11.45am, however the moon will not be visible in the sky in the UK at that time,” he added.
The next supermoon will be visible in April 2021.
Technically the exact moment of full moon is 11.45am.