SuperMoon
A SuperMoon is a New or Full Moon which is extra close to the Earth, within 90% of its nearest approach to Earth in a given orbit. There can be 4-6 SuperMoons a year by this definition.
The closer the Moon is to the Earth the larger it appears and the greater affect it has on tidal waters, creating higher than usual tides. Some have noticed that the gravitational force of a SuperMoon affects the atmosphere and crust of our planet, as well as the surge of feeling and events on Earth.
Note: Observers on Earth cannot see a New Moon because its illuminated side faces away from the Earth toward the Sun. A New Moon lies between the Sun and Earth. Helpful Image + Description BTW: The only time a New Moon can be seen is during a solar eclipse, when it passes directly in front of the Sun, visibly showing off part or all of its entire dark disk.
This web page highlghts the closest SuperMoon of the year that is a Full Moon. A SuperMoon that is a Full Moon appears bigger or extra full to those viewing it from Earth. A Full Moon lies opposite the Sun; the Earth lies between them. A Full Moon opposite the Sun is seen from sunset to sunrise. A SuperMoon is a perigee-syzygy event. Keep reading to learn more.
SuperMoon
~ Extra Full Moon ~ Perigee-Syzygy Event ~ Wesak
Saturday, May 5, 2012 – 8:35pm
PDT (03:35 UT May
6)
Lunar Nearside -
Astronomy Picture of the Day 3/3/11
Image: NASA / GSFC / Arizona
State Univ. /
Lunar
Reconnaissance Orbiter
Explanation: About 1,300 images from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft's wide angle camera were used to compose this spectacular view of a familiar face - the lunar nearside. But why is there a lunar nearside? The Moon rotates on its axis and orbits the Earth at the same rate, about once every 28 days. Tidally locked in this configuration, the synchronous rotation always keeps one side, the nearside, facing Earth. As a result, featured in remarkable detail in the full resolution mosaic, the smooth, dark, lunar maria (actually lava-flooded impact basins), and rugged highlands, are well-known to earthbound skygazers. ... The LRO images used to construct the mosaic were recorded over a two week period last December [2010]. Astronomy Picture of the Day 3/3/11 ~ Current Astronomy Picture of the Day
To find your favorite mare or large crater, just slide your cursor over this APOD Image; its web page gives APOD's full explanation and all the links for the "Lunar Nearside" mosaic shown above.
SuperMoon
~ Extra Full Moon
Perigee-Syzygy Event ~ Wesak
The Perigee
The Moon's orbit is not a perfect circle. Every 27.55 days, the Moon swings closer to Earth and then loops farther away in an unending cycle of perigees and apogees. Helpful Image The Full Moon of Saturday, May 5, 2012 (8:35pm PDT / 03:35 UT Sunday, May 6) is at a SuperMoon perigee, within 90% of its nearest approach to Earth in a given orbit. It is at its closest lunar approach for the month and for the year of 2012. Note: This Moon is exactly Full less than an hour from perigee and lies 221,802 miles away (356,955 kilometers).
The Moon averages about 240,000 miles [386,000 km] from Earth but can get as close as 221,441 miles [356,520 km] and as far as 252,723 miles [406,884 km]. That's a range of over 30,000 miles [48,300 km]. Star Gazer: 2011 Script 3/7-15
Perigee
Full Moon Table
These
close Moons occur about every 1 year, 1 month, and
18 days or the 14th Full Moon after a perigee Full Moon.
Lunar Perigee / Apogee Calculator
The biggest Full Moons of the year appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter than lesser Full Moons. Helpful Image A perigee Moon creates higher than usual "perigean tides". However, according to NASA, these are only a few centimeters (an inch or so) higher than usual. Local geography can increase the effect to about 15 centimeters (six inches). Richard Nolle has more to say about the potential effects of perigee SuperMoons in "The Sysygy" section below.
A Moon near the horizon always looks bigger due to The Moon Illusion, so be sure to catch this "Extra" Full Moon when it rises around 8:00pm or sets about 5:30am. Click Rise/Set/Transit Times ~ Major Bodies for exact times in your area.
The Syzygy
When three or more astronomical bodies, in a gravitational system, form a roughly straight line, we have a syzygy (siz-i-jee). The May 5-6, 2012 "Extra" Full Moon, as with all Full Moons, forms a straight line with our Earth and Sun (Moon-Earth-Sun), a syzygy.
Richard Nolle calls the perigee-syzygy Full Moon a SuperMoon, which has the potential to stir up powerful tides in the Earth's atmosphere, crust and oceans.
SuperMoon is a word I coined in a 1979 ... describing a new or full moon which occurs with the Moon at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit. ... At any new or full moon, Earth and Moon and Sun are all in a line: Earth is in the middle in the full moon alignment, while the new moon happens with Moon in the middle. This coming together in an alignment is technically termed a syzygy. ... when the Moon is in its perigee, or closest approach to Earth. Astronomers call this very special alignment a perigee-syzygy. I call it a SuperMoon – which is a whole lot easier on the tongue.
... From extreme coastal tides to severe storms to powerful earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the entire natural world surges and spasms under the sway of the SuperMoon alignment - within three days either way of the exact syzygy, as a general rule. ... For most of us, the geocosmic risk raised by SuperMoon alignments will pass with little notice in our immediate vicinity. ... A SuperMoon is planetary in scale, being a special alignment of Earth, Sun and Moon. ... it’s planetary in scope, in the sense that there's no place on Earth not subject to the tidal force of the perigee-syzygy. Of course, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions don't go wandering all over the planet. They happen in (mostly) predictable locations, like the infamous "Ring of Fire" around the Pacific plate.
Examples of the SuperMoon connection with major storms and seismic events abound [Nolle provides examples]. ... I’m far from the first person in history to notice the connection between lunar perigee-syzygy and powerful tides stirring up Earth’s atmosphere, crust and oceans. Richard Nolle's Full Article: SuperMoon What It Is, What It Means
The May 5-6, 2012 perigee-syzygy Full Moon line-up is grander, extending outward to include Saturn, Venus and Jupiter (Saturn, Moon, Earth, Venus, Sun, Jupiter). This solar system view for the exact time of the Full Moon shows Saturn (yellow), Earth (blue), Venus (white), Sun (yellow) and Jupiter (gold). Saturn and the SuperMoon are tugging on one side of the Earth, while Venus, the Sun and Jupiter are tugging on the opposite side of Earth.
Saturn and Jupiter on opposites sides of the Sun play an important role in the geocosmic effects experienced on Earth.
Scientists have noted that when Jupiter and Saturn are aligned on the same side of the Sun, the solar maximum (the period when we have the most sunspots and flares) is at its weakest; when they are on opposite sides of the Sun the solar maximum is at its strongest. Doomsday, The Mayan Calendar and 2012
Jupiter and Saturn are now on the opposite sides of the Sun and the Sun is in its solar maximum cycle. Perhaps the gravitational pull of these two opposing massive planets disturbs the quietude of the Sun causing sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CME's). Solar Glossary The Sun in its active cycle increases the likelihood of power grid overloads/outages and satellite disruption [*]. Solar activity may even increase earthquakes, volcanic activity and extreme weather [*], however this concept is not well understood nor agreed upon. Solar cycles and their activity can irritate one's physical, mental and emotional bodies and/or bring about a heightened sense of awareness [*], again this concept is not well understood nor agreed upon.
Spaceweather.com describes the increasing solar activity of March 9-10, 2011 preceding Japan's March 11 quake/tsunami. It is also interesting to note that 8 days following Japan's quake/tsunami, March 19, 2011, there was also a SuperMoon. This was the closest Moon since March 8, 1993, the closest in 18 years, the closest until November 14, 2016. It was only 236 miles (380 km) closer than the May 5-6, 2012 Full Moon.
Use Solar System Live to view the entire solar system or just the inner planets for any date/time.
The Wesak Festival
The May 5-6 Full Moon is the second Full Moon of spring and known around the world as the Wesak Festival. It is the spiritual high point of the year. At this time forces of enlightenment stream forth from our highest spirtiual planetary center and are stepped down for the evolution of humanity.
At any Full Moon the Earth lies between the Sun and Moon and the Earth, representing consciousness, is in direct alignment with our central luminary the Sun, representing Spirit. The Full Moon, representing form, acts as a reflector of Sun's inflowing radiance for the entire night, from sunset to sunrise. At the time of a Full Moon our planet is the recipient of strong spiritual vibration and stimulation throughout the entire day. A solar doorway opens wide and the unimpeded Spirit works out in form through the mediation of consciousness.
It is auspicious that the 2012 Wesak Festival Full Moon of enlightenment is a SuperMoon.
In Summary
The 6 celestial body syzygy (Saturn, Moon, Earth, Venus, Sun, Jupiter) occurring at this perigee Full Moon is likely to stir up our Earth’s atmosphere, crust and oceans, and even humanity's physical, mental and emotional bodies.
In addition the Wesak Festival and its forces of enlightenment are sparking an initiation in humanity, while the Wesak's SuperMoon is shining increased solar radiance our way for the evolution of consciousness and form.
As we move with the seemingly chaotic currents and waves of our times, it is crucial to seek out and receive the energies that are streaming forth to help humanity emerge into something new and wholesome.
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