Skywatchers are preparing for the latest “supermoon” as Earth’s satellite makes its closest approach since 1948.
The UK’s best opportunity to see it will be on Monday evening, although the Moon will be at its closest – just 221,524 miles (356,509kilometer)away – at 11:21 GMT.
To observers, it’ll appear about 7% larger than standard and about 15% brighter – although the human eye is just able to identify that difference.
Yet the Moon won’t be this close again until 25 November 2034.
The Met Office’s UK prognosis indicates although it advises people to check their local prediction for the function when the supermoon is closest it’ll be uncertain.
As the Moon outlines its orbit around the Earth, we see distinct proportions illuminated by the Sun. Once in each orbit, our satellite is totally illuminated – a full moon.
So that as the Moon orbits the Earth every 27 days or so, it goes in an elliptical or oblong shape.
This implies that its distance from our planet isn’t constant but varies across the full orbit.
But within this irregular orbit there are additional variations due to the movements of the Earth around the Sun.
But when the perigee and full moon coincide occasions have become known as supermoons in popular parlance.
To observers, the differences between a full moon that is normal and a supermoon are rather subtle.
Usually, supermoons can be up to 14% larger and 30% more glowing, but only when weighed against the furthest point the Moon gets to within its orbit.
