On August 19, 2024, the first "super moon" of this year will appear in the night sky tonight, and the full moon will appear at 2:26 on the 20th. It is understood that a "super moon" refers to a full moon near perigee. At this time, the moon is closer to the earth and looks larger than usual. The " super moon" is not a rare celestial phenomenon. This year, four "super moons" have appeared one after another. The next three will be on September 18, October 17 and November 16 respectively.
On August 19, 2024, this year's first "super moon" rose over the city of Guang'an District, Guang'an City, Sichuan Province. The "super moon" and Kuige complement each other, creating a beautiful and poetic scene.
On August 19, 2024, in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, the "Super Moon" "photographed" with the Qifeng Pagoda in Fenghui Ancient Town.
On the evening of August 19, 2024, in Dongpo District, Meishan City, Sichuan Province, a golden full moon passed through the White Pagoda of Dawang Temple, which was very spectacular.
What is a super moon?
Supermoon is not an official astronomical term. It was coined by American astrologer Richard Nolle in a 1979 article for "dell horoscope" magazine. According to his definition, a full or new moon within 90% of its closest approach to Earth is called a supermoon. It was not until 2011 that the word began to appear in popular science articles. This definition is now even recognized by NASA, but it remains open to different interpretations. The scientific name of the super moon is "perigee-syzygy of the earth-moon-sun system".
On August 19, 2024, the "Super Moon" in Yuping Dong Autonomous County, Tongren City, Guizhou Province.
On August 20, 2024, Guang'an, Sichuan, the first "super moon" in 2024 rose over Guang'an District. The "super moon" and the city landmark "Horse Treading on Flying Swallows" complement each other, creating a beautiful and poetic scene.
On August 19, 2024, in Chengdu, it was the full moon, and people in Chengdu came to the Longquan Mountain Observation Deck to climb the mountain and admire the moon.
How often does a super moon appear?
Super full moons happen about 3-4 times a year, so it's not a rare event. A supermoon can only occur when a new or full moon is at or near perigee. However, the lunar phase cycle and lunar perigee do not always coincide: the length of a synodic moon (full moon to full moon, or new moon to new moon) is 29.53059 days, while the length of a periapsis moon (perigee to perigee) is 27.55455 days. These cycles coincide with every 14 synodic months and 15 periphase months:
14*29.53059 = 413.428
15*27.55455 = 413.318
This means that the supermoon cycle takes 413 days (one year, one month and 18 days) . Every 413 days, we see the same row of supermoons. To calculate the date of the first super full moon in 2024, we should count 413 days from the date of the first super full moon in 2023 (July 3). Therefore, the first super full moon of 2024 will occur on August 19, 2024. This way, you can predict the Super Full Moon.
On August 19, 2024 local time, in Paris, France, the super moon rose over the Eiffel Tower.
On August 19, 2024 local time, in Istanbul, Turkey, the super moon rose over the historic Galata Tower.
On August 19, 2024 local time, Brasilia, Brazil, the super moon rose behind the Parliament Building.
On August 19, 2024 local time, a super moon appeared over Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Does the moon look bigger during a supermoon?
During a supermoon, the moon is closer to Earth, but what does this mean to observers? Compared to an average full moon, a super full moon appears about 7% larger and 16% brighter. It is 14% larger and 30% brighter than the full moon at apogee (the point of the moon farthest from the earth).
If we take photos of a full moon and a supermoon at apogee with the same camera settings, we will see a difference in size. Otherwise, it's almost impossible to estimate the difference with the naked eye. But don't get too frustrated: If the sky is dark, the supermoon's unusual brightness can be noticed.So it's best to enjoy the supermoon outside light-polluted cities.
On August 19, 2024 local time, people walked in front of the rising super moon at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.
On August 19, 2024 local time, a plane passed the super moon in Copenhagen, Denmark.
On August 19, 2024 local time, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the full moon rose from behind the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.
Pictures of this article: Visual China, ic
