The moon’s orbit around the earth is an ellipse, therefore the moon is sometime closer to the earth and sometimes farther away. According to astronomers "at perigee, the closest point in the moon’s orbit to the earth it is 31.068 miles closer to the earth than at is apogee, when it is farthest away". Please see below.
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Also, please see the phases of the moon below:
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| The Moon's Phases |
In very plain words, when the full moon and perigee coincide we have a Supermoon. Astronomers call this phenomenon a perigee-syzygy or a perigee moon. This lunar event makes the moon seem 14% larger and 30% brighter, a beautiful illusion. It seems so near you can almost touch it. I was told by a friend that her four-year-old grandson was very concerned: “Why did the sun rise at night?” he anxiously asked.
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| The Supermoon over the Parthenon |
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| Supermoon at Cape Sounion |
Let us prepare a champagne cocktail to celebrate this rare lunar event. The previous one was 1948. The next Supermoon will take place in 2024.
MIMOSA COCKTAIL
(Bucks Fizz)
Fill a 1/3 of a chilled Champagne flute with fresh orange juice and
2/3 with chilled sparkling wine (I use Amalia Brut)
Garnish each flute with half an orange slice.
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