Don’t miss the biggest supermoon of 2020

Posted on 27 March 2020

While South Africa will still be in lockdown on 8 April, there’s nothing stopping you from staring at the moon through your largest window or from your balcony.

The year’s last and largest supermoon – a pink supermoon – follows the super worm moon on 9 March.

Hawk flying in front of supermoon Image credit: wallpaperflare.com

According to NASA, supermoons occur when ‘the moon’s orbit is closest (perigee) to Earth at the same time it is full.’ With the moon being so close to the Earth, a super full moon appears about 30% brighter than a micro full moon and about 16% brighter than a regular full moon.

The final supermoon of 2020 is known as a pink super moon, not because the moon is a different colour but because it occurs in spring in the northern hemisphere when pink wildflowers appear in North America.

According to TimeandDate.com supermoon is not an official astronomical term. ‘It was first coined by an astrologer, Richard Nolle, in 1979. He defined it as ‘a New or a Full Moon that occurs when the Moon is at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth in its orbit’.’ ( It is not clear why ‘within 90% of’ is the cut off in his definition).

The correct astronomical term for a super moon is perigee-syzygy.

Also read: Images of the super worm moon across the world






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