The biggest supermoon of the year will be held this week | WBNS-10TV Columbus, Ohio



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The Full Moon will arrive Tuesday morning at 10:54. She called the Full Moon of Snow because of the heavy snowfall possible in February and was also called the Hunger Moon because of the fact that food was scarce at this time of year.

This month's Full Moon is very close to what is called the lunar perigee. Because the moon's orbit is not a perfect circle, it's an ellipse, there are times when the moon is closer to the Earth and moments when it's up. away from it. As close as possible, the moon is perigee.

Normally, that would not be a big problem, but as the perigee coincides with the Full Moon, we will have something called a super-moon and it will look bigger and brighter than normal.

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Supermoon is not an astronomical term but it has become popular and it is much easier to say than perigee-syzygy, technical term. We had a supermoon in January and we will see one again in March, but at "only" 221,681 miles, it's the closest supermoon to 2019.

To really feel the phenomenon, look at the moon as you approach the horizon and enjoy what is called "the illusion of the moon". In simple terms, the moon seems bigger near the horizon than it really is.

You may have noticed if you have ever tried taking a moonrise photo with your phone or camera. It is not bigger than if you take the picture when it is higher in the sky but we perceive that the moon is bigger when it is closer to the horizon.

This illusion is not new, we have known it for centuries; In fact, Aristotle wrote about it. We do not know for sure what causes it, but many think it's due to the fact that we know the size of trees and buildings.

When we see the moon next to them, it seems bigger. Once the moon has risen in the sky, we have no point of reference, so we realize it's smaller.

This means that you will get the best views on the supermoon by looking in the west early Tuesday before sunrise and in the east shortly after sunset, provided the weather permits.

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