New Zealanders will see an especially big, bright presence in the sky tonight.
The last full moon of 2017 will be a so-called “supermoon” – the first one since November 2016.
The moon will be both full and also at “perigee” – the point in its orbit when it is closest to Earth. This coincidental timing makes it a legitimate supermoon.
It will appear approximately 14 percent bigger than when it’s at its furthest away from us. Because Earth will be at its closest to the sun in early January, Monday’s moon will also shine up to 30 percent brighter.
While this is the year’s only supermoon, January 2018 will see two in a row, with a super-sized full moon appearing on the 2nd and again on the 31st.
The moon will look its most enormous at about 9pm on Monday, when it will be sitting on the horizon just after moonrise.
9 Responses
I’m going to see this super moon ? tonight
Awesome
coooooooooolll
I stayed up until 9:25 to see the super moon and as soon as I went to sleep the super moon rose! I CAN’T BELIEVE MY LUCK!!!
This is awesome news i cant wait to see it
im going to see it tonight.
this can’t be ture
cool