Heads Up for the Perigee "Super Moon" On May 5-6

[malaise]

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/02may_supermoon/
<snip>
The scientific term for the phenomenon is "perigee moon." Full Moons vary in size because of the oval shape of the Moon's orbit. The Moon follows an elliptical path around Earth with one side ("perigee&quot about 50,000 km closer than the other ("apogee&quot . Full Moons that occur on the perigee side of the Moon's orbit seem extra big and bright.

Such is the case on May 5th at 11:34 pm Eastern Daylight Time when the Moon reaches perigee. Only one minute later, the Moon will line up with Earth and the sun to become gloriously full. The timing is almost perfect.

Okay, the Moon is 14% bigger than usual, but can you really tell the difference? It's tricky. There are no rulers floating in the sky to measure lunar diameters. Hanging high overhead with no reference points to provide a sense of scale, one full Moon can seem much like any other.

[obxhead]

1. Cool

Watch it rain that night.

[SidDithers]

2. "Super Moon" madness at DU was entertaining last year...

Thanks for posting

Sid

[Odin2005]

3. And don't forget the moon bombing!

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Hey Malaise, thanks for this!

I do believe we will be able to see it from here..forecast says clear.

[malaise]

5. You're welcome