‘Supermoon,’ biggest full moon of the year, to appear on Saturday, May 5

[Marianne]

‘Supermoon,’ biggest full moon of the year, to appear on Saturday, May 5

Full moon will shine on same day it makes its closest pass to Earth in 2012

By Philip Caulfield / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Scientists said the lunar event is sure to have stargazers extra wide-eyed because the moon will swing in a mere 221,802 miles from earth — its closest approach in 2012, according to Space.com.

Though scientists say supermoons have no effect on Earth, conspiracy crackpots and armchair astronomers believe the phenomenon can rile our planet's tides, kick up extreme weather and spur natural disasters.

"The 'super' in supermoon is really just the appearance of it being closer," Dr. James Garvin, the chief scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight center, said before the last supermoon, in March 2011

Read more:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/supe...#ixzz1tnfIk1KI

[Lauren]

This will be cool, I hope we have clear skies for it!

Thanks for the heads up Marianne.

[Marianne]

Your welcome Lauren..

[ImadumbPlumb]

Thank you Marianne, be looking forward to seeing that.

[Marianne]

Originally Posted by ImadumbPlumb

Thank you Marianne, be looking forward to seeing that.

Your welcome.. look what else happens this month..
.
'Supermoon,' Meteor Shower and Solar Eclipse to Grace May Skies


by Tariq Malik, SPACE.com Managing Editor
Date: 03 May 2012 Time: 05:18 PM ET

The month of May looks to be a promising one for skywatchers around the world, with the largest full moon of the year — a so-called "supermoon" — kicking things off this weekend. But the moon is just one of several tantalizing sky events this month, which include a meteor shower from Halley's comet and the first solar eclipse of the year.

The skywatching action starts with a celestial double-feature.


On Saturday and Sunday (May 5- 6) a "supermoon" of 2012 and the Eta Aquarid meteor shower will both hit their peak.


While the bright full moon could interfere with the Eta Aquarid meteor display, some of the shower's brightest fireballs should still be visible late Saturday and early Sunday, NASA scientists say.


http://www.space.com/15542-supermoon...=Google+Reader

[kgreen20]

I saw the supermoon tonight!

What happened to Halley's comet? Did it break up somehow?

[Marianne]

Originally Posted by kgreen20

I saw the supermoon tonight!

What happened to Halley's comet? Did it break up somehow?

I didn't get to see it, it was cloudy here.. Oh well..

[Lee]

Originally Posted by kgreen20

I saw the supermoon tonight!

What happened to Halley's comet? Did it break up somehow?

Halley's comet only comes around once every 75 to 76 years. it was last here in 1986 so it is not due to return until mid 2061.

[ImadumbPlumb]

Missed the super moon but I'll search for a video of it ,be looking out for the meteor shower. Thank you

[Fearnot]

We got to see the super moon, it was very nice!