How Does a Supermoon Affect Tides and Our Night Sky?
In this article, we are going to learn about what is a supermoon and everything you may need to know about it. This is a full moon which is 10- 12% closer to the earth at perigee. Many people also confuse the perigee-syzygy with other moons because there are quite a few different types that it can sometimes be difficult to remember all, for example, blue blood supermoons are also confused along with various other ones.
What is Perigee?
The point in the moon's orbit where it is closest to the earth is called perigee. The time when the moon is closer to earth at perigee instead of apogee, which means the point in the orbit of the moon at which it is furthest to the earth, is also called perigee-syzygy. There are also different types of moons named according to the moon, for example, pink moon supermoon, etc.
What Happens When There is a Perigee-syzygy?
The tides we see when we go near the sea and ocean are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon. As the moon orbits the earth, the gravitational force pulls on the oceans. So, when the moon comes closer to the earth, it causes a king tide. It increases the rise and fall of the sea levels thus increasing the dangers of floods.
Also, there could be a minute increase in the activity of the tectonic plates which can lead to natural disasters like earthquakes.
Many times, people confuse the supermoon blood moon.
The difference between both is:
Perigee-syzygy, as we already know, is when the moon comes closer to the earth.
A blood moon is given its name because of its colour which is a red glow. This happens when there is a lunar eclipse when the earth comes between the moon and sun thus hiding the moon from sunlight. Because of this, only light from the earth can reach the moon and the air molecules from earth scatter the blue light and so the remaining light is what makes it glow red.
There is a great difference between a supermoon blood moon but many people are still confused between the two.
Different Supermoons Throughout the Year
Before knowing about when is the next supermoon, we will look at the different super moons there are. Different cultures around the world have given the full moons different names. Many of these names have come from native America and medieval Europe. The names that came from native America were decided based on their way of life.
In this, we will look at the November moon, and much more. The moon names differed from culture to culture but most of them were assigned 12 – 13 moons in the year. The names given to the supermoons in each month are:
January: The moon in this month was named after the wolves that howled due to the shortage of food during winters
March: In this month, the moon is called a worm moon.
February: The moon in this month is called Snow.
April: The moon of this month is called the pink moon. The pink moon supermoon was named after the wildflower that began blooming during this month
June: The June moon is called the strawberry moon.
May: In this month, the moon is called the flower moon because during this month, it is springtime and many flowers are blooming.
July: This is called Buck Moon.
August: This moon is called the sturgeon moon by the North American fishing tribes because this species appeared this month. On the 22nd day of this month in 2021, many people around the world saw the blue blood supermoon. It is said to be the third of 4 full moons.
September: This moon is called the full corn.
October: The moon in this month is called hunter’s moon.
November: The November supermoon was called beaver moon as Americans kept beaver traps in this month.
December: In this month, the moon is called a cold moon because of the winters.
Conclusion
When we talk about this, the first question people ask is when is the next supermoon? In 2021, there were two, one in April and the other in May. In 2022, it has been predicted that there will also be 2. One will be a strawberry moon and the other will be a buck moon.
In this article, we have learned a lot. From knowing how cultures have named this special moon to knowing what a supermoon is, we have covered it all. You should always remember that it occurs when the moon is closest to the Earth, its perigee.
Knowing that a blood moon and a perigee-syzygy are not the same and are very distinct and poles apart are very important. Many people confuse these and it can’t be blamed on them for confusing the supermoon blood moon.
FAQs on Supermoon in Physics: Definition, Causes & Significance
1. What exactly is a supermoon from a Physics perspective?
From a Physics standpoint, a supermoon is a celestial event that occurs when a full moon or a new moon coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth in its orbit. This closest point is known as the perigee. Due to this proximity, the Moon appears noticeably larger and brighter in the sky compared to an average full moon.
2. What are the causes of a supermoon?
A supermoon is caused by the combination of two specific astronomical events:
- The Moon's Elliptical Orbit: The Moon does not orbit the Earth in a perfect circle, but in an elliptical path. This means its distance from Earth varies, with the closest point called perigee and the farthest point called apogee.
- Lunar Phase: A supermoon occurs only when the Moon is at or near its perigee at the same time it is in its full moon or new moon phase. This alignment is technically called a perigee-syzygy.
3. What is the scientific term for a supermoon?
The scientific term for a supermoon is a perigee-syzygy of the Earth-Moon-Sun system. The term 'perigee' refers to the point in the Moon's orbit where it is closest to Earth. 'Syzygy' refers to the straight-line alignment of three celestial bodies, which in this case are the Sun, Earth, and Moon, corresponding to a full or new moon.
4. What is the main significance of a supermoon observationally?
The primary significance of a supermoon is its visual appearance. Because it is closer to us, it can appear up to 14% larger in diameter and about 30% brighter than a full moon that occurs at its farthest point (apogee), which is sometimes called a micromoon. This makes it a spectacular event for stargazers and photographers.
5. How does a supermoon differ from a lunar eclipse?
A supermoon and a lunar eclipse are two distinct phenomena that can sometimes occur together. A supermoon is defined by the Moon's distance from Earth (it is at or near perigee), making it appear larger. A lunar eclipse, on the other hand, is an event of alignment, where the Earth passes directly between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon's surface. While a supermoon can make a lunar eclipse appear larger, the cause of each event is different.
6. What is the difference between a Supermoon, a Blood Moon, and a Blue Moon?
These terms describe different, unrelated lunar events that students often confuse:
- A Supermoon relates to the Moon's distance from Earth, making it appear larger and brighter.
- A Blood Moon refers to the reddish colour the Moon takes on during a total lunar eclipse. This colour is due to sunlight being filtered and refracted through Earth's atmosphere.
- A Blue Moon is about timing and frequency. It typically refers to the second full moon that occurs within the same calendar month. It has nothing to do with the Moon's actual colour.
7. Does a supermoon have any physical effects on Earth?
Yes, a supermoon does have a measurable physical effect on Earth due to its increased gravitational pull. The proximity of the Moon during a supermoon leads to slightly stronger tidal forces. This results in higher-than-usual high tides and lower-than-usual low tides, an effect known as perigean spring tides. However, this increase is minimal and is not a cause for major geological events like earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, contrary to popular myths.
8. How often do supermoons occur in a year?
Supermoons are relatively common astronomical events. On average, we can expect to see about three to four supermoons each year. This is because the cycle of the Moon reaching perigee and the cycle of the lunar phases (from one full moon to the next) align several times throughout the year, creating these spectacular viewing opportunities.
