“O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her circled orb,
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.” -Romeo & Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2
Tonight holds a full Moon in store for skywatchers everywhere. Not just any old full Moon, mind you, but a Supermoon, the last one of the year.
Image credit: John Gaughan / Pete Lardizabal / WJLA, via http://www.wjla.com/pictures/2012/10/daily-eye-wonder-november-2012/sup….
What makes a Supermoon so super? As it turns out, not a whole lot. But as far as the physics, astronomy and science of why-and-how the Moon appears to change -- sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly -- is concerned, there is a whole lot going on!
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons user Tomruen.
Come let Summer Ash guide you through the science of our inconstant Moon!
- Log in to post comments