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Digital News Report – Tonight there is a brighter and larger full moon on display in what is called a Supermoon. It is going to be larger because it is closer to the Earth than it usually is, and this hasn’t been this close since 1992. So moon gazers might get a better view of the moon with improved contrast because it is brighter and slightly larger.
The Full Moon does create higher tides because of gravitational pull, but many unfounded conspiracy theories suggest that the Supermoon could cause major earthquakes, tsunamis, or even floods. These theories come from astrologers. Some are linking the Japan earthquake and tsunami catastrophe being caused by the March 2011 Supermoon. However, many scientists suggest that the Supermoon isn’t all that exciting, and has happened quite often. Supermoons happen all the time.
When the Moon orbits closer to Earth it is called an perigee and when its orbit is the farthest from Earth it is called the Apogee. The Moon will continue to approach closer and farther depending on where it is on the orbit around Earth. The term Supermoon was invented to describe the location of the orbit in proximity to Earth which gives a slightly larger and brighter than normal appearance the moon.
So if you want to get a better look at the Moon, this full moon will be a great viewing for amateur astronomers.
By Victoria Brown