‘Supermoon’ brightens up skies around UK
Written by News on 04/12/2017
A supermoon brightened UK skies last night as it moved closer to Earth, appearing 14% bigger and 30% brighter than usual.
The December full moon, traditionally known as the Cold Moon, was visible from about 3.47pm on Sunday.
Tom Kerss, an astronomer at Royal Observatory Greenwich, said: "This year’s Cold Moon is closer to us than the average full moon this year; close enough to qualify as a supermoon, according to the widely accepted definition."
The moon was expected to reach its highest point above the horizon at midnight local time, he added.
"This is when, weather permitting, it will appear at its clearest and brightest."
The full moon was expected to be 222,761 miles from Earth, closer than its average 238,900 miles.
Mr Kerss said: "During moonrise and moonset, you might think the moon looks unusually large, but this is an illusion created in the mind when it appears close to the horizon.
"In fact, the change in the moon’s apparent size throughout its orbit is imperceptible to the unaided eye."
If you want to see the Earth’s natural satellite in greater detail, Mr Kerss advises using binoculars or a telescope, which he said is "perfectly safe".
He added: "You can see many of the moon’s larger features, although at full moon its surface looks rather flat, since we don’t see any shadows cast across it until its night side begins to creep into view.
"However it is possible to see the dark maria (seas) in stark contrast to the brilliant highlights of the full moon if you allow your eyes to adjust and pick out these ancient volcanic flood plains, once filled with lava."
The first supermoon of the year was visible on 12 January, while the second was on 3 November.
(c) Sky News 2017: ‘Supermoon’ brightens up skies around UK
