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| 'Supermoon' viewers to get closest glimpse since 1948 | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Skywatchers are preparing for the latest "supermoon" as Earth's satellite makes its closest approach since 1948. | Skywatchers are preparing for the latest "supermoon" as Earth's satellite makes its closest approach since 1948. |
| The UK's best chance to see it will be on Monday evening, although the Moon will be at its closest - only 221,524 miles (356,509km)away - at 11:21 GMT. | The UK's best chance to see it will be on Monday evening, although the Moon will be at its closest - only 221,524 miles (356,509km)away - at 11:21 GMT. |
| To observers, it will appear about 7% larger than normal and about 15% brighter - although the human eye is barely able to discern that difference. | To observers, it will appear about 7% larger than normal and about 15% brighter - although the human eye is barely able to discern that difference. |
| Yet the Moon won't be this close again until 25 November 2034. | Yet the Moon won't be this close again until 25 November 2034. |
| The Met Office's UK forecast suggests it will be cloudy when the supermoon is closest, although it advises people to check their local forecast for the event. | The Met Office's UK forecast suggests it will be cloudy when the supermoon is closest, although it advises people to check their local forecast for the event. |
| As the Moon traces its orbit around the Earth, we see different proportions illuminated by the Sun. Once in each orbit, our satellite is totally illuminated - a full moon. | As the Moon traces its orbit around the Earth, we see different proportions illuminated by the Sun. Once in each orbit, our satellite is totally illuminated - a full moon. |
| And as the Moon orbits the Earth every 27 days or so, it travels in an elliptical or oval shape. | And as the Moon orbits the Earth every 27 days or so, it travels in an elliptical or oval shape. |
| This means that its distance from our planet is not constant but varies across a full orbit. | This means that its distance from our planet is not constant but varies across a full orbit. |
| But within this uneven orbit there are further variations caused by the Earth's movements around the Sun. | But within this uneven orbit there are further variations caused by the Earth's movements around the Sun. |
| These mean that the perigee - the closest approach - and full moon are not always in sync. | These mean that the perigee - the closest approach - and full moon are not always in sync. |
| But occasions when the perigee and full moon coincide have become known in popular parlance as supermoons. | But occasions when the perigee and full moon coincide have become known in popular parlance as supermoons. |
| To observers, the differences between a supermoon and a normal full moon are quite subtle. | To observers, the differences between a supermoon and a normal full moon are quite subtle. |
| Generally, supermoons can be up to 14% larger and 30% brighter, but only when compared with the furthest point the Moon gets to within its orbit. | Generally, supermoons can be up to 14% larger and 30% brighter, but only when compared with the furthest point the Moon gets to within its orbit. |
| "These differences are pretty small, and with the Moon rising so high in the sky, as it does in the winter months, it'll be quite hard to notice any difference without comparing photographs," Dr Chris North told The Conversation website. | "These differences are pretty small, and with the Moon rising so high in the sky, as it does in the winter months, it'll be quite hard to notice any difference without comparing photographs," Dr Chris North told The Conversation website. |
| "But regardless of how big and bright it looks, the Moon really is a beautiful object to look at." | "But regardless of how big and bright it looks, the Moon really is a beautiful object to look at." |
| However Neil de Grasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York, has previously suggested the events are just a little bit over-hyped. | However Neil de Grasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York, has previously suggested the events are just a little bit over-hyped. |
| "I don't know who first called it a supermoon," he told StarTalk radio. | "I don't know who first called it a supermoon," he told StarTalk radio. |
| "I don't know, but if you have a 16-inch pizza, would you call that a super pizza compared with a 15-inch pizza?" | "I don't know, but if you have a 16-inch pizza, would you call that a super pizza compared with a 15-inch pizza?" |
| Follow Paul on Twitter. | Follow Paul on Twitter. |
| Where have you been observing the 'supermoon'? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your pictures and experiences. | Where have you been observing the 'supermoon'? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your pictures and experiences. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |