Are Supermoons More Common Than We Think?

I remember in the summer sitting at my favorite spot back home with my best friend. Usually, when it was nice out we would stop at the middle school and just sit in the huge grassy field that over looked our high school. It was an extremely clear night that allowed us to see long stretches of mountains carved with busy roads and lit up by its speeding cars.

The sky was already cast with a dark blanket, when we both started to see something appear over the horizon. It looked like an explosion of fiery-reds and burnt oranges contained in one area. What we later realized we had experienced was actually a supermoon. The sphere that we witnessed is one of the phenomena that appear in our summer skies. But in this case it was more common that we had previously thought.

supermoon

According to The New York Times, “we are treated to a so-called supermoon, a full moon that can seem embraceable close— as much as 12 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the average full moon.” This moon is easily seen by the human eye due to the large “super” nature of it’s size. It’s a striking contrast to the grayish illuminated sphere we usually view daily. The vibrant colors are what commonly attract so many followers.

I was surprised, myself, to learn that there were three super moons this summer and that I was sadly only able to witness one.  In NASA’s article, “Three Supermoons in a Row,” it clarified the three dates where the moon would easily be seen, “July 12th, August 10th, and Sept. 9th.”

While the moon seems to be under high scrutiny for its photogenic appearance, it is often neglected that there are other phases the moon undergoes. In my high school, not much was taught about astronomy, even in science classes. From personal experience, students have often expressed an interest in the world beyond our planet, but have never been supplied with the adequate information to learn.

The New York Times supportingly stated, “Still, astronomers concur that whatever the reason, yes, you should look at the moon early and often, whether it’s waxing or waning, gibbous or crescent, and appreciate the many features that set our moon apart from the other 100-plus moons of the solar system, and even celebrate our loyal satellite as a planet in its own right.”

 Hopefully with the attention of supermoons light is shed on our normal moon as well.

Sources

Angier, Natalie. “The Moon Comes Around Again.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 08 Sept. 2014. Web. 09 Sept. 2014.

N.d. The Independent. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/supermoon-2014-all-you-need-to-know-about-this-sundays-supermoon-9658849.html>.

Phillips, Tony, Dr. “Three Supermoons in a Row.” Three Supermoons in a Row – NASA Science. N.p., 2014. Web. 09 Sept. 2014.

 

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