Watch the Supermoon live: How to see the brightest Moon of the year tonight
The full Moon will be at its closest point to the Earth
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Your support makes all the difference.Tonight will see the first "Supermoon" of the year – the brightest, biggest view of the celestial satellite around.
One of three such shows by the Moon this year, the phenomenon will take place all over the globe today, 29 August 2015, as the moon slowly rises.
One of the best viewings is meant to be the Canary Islands, which can be viewed online at the Slooh Community Observatory. Otherwise, find a good spot with a clear sky.
What is a Supermoon?
A Supermoon occurs because of two natural events happening at the same time.
First, the Moon, which orbits an elliptical (lemon-shaped, rather than ball-shaped) route, will be at its closest possible point to Earth. This is on one side of its route, which is about 500,000 km closer to Earth than the other.
Second, there is a full moon. This is when the Moon is directly opposite the Sun, with the Earth in between. The Moon is fully illuminated and reflects brightly.
When the Moon is at its closest point to Earth and is also at a full moon, it is extra big and bright. This is known as a Supermoon.
How big and bright is it?
A Supermoon is 15 per cent larger, and 30 per cent brighter, than when it is at its smallest and dimmest point.
When did it last happen?
The last Supermoons in 2014 happened on 12 July, 10 August and 9 September. The next one is expected on September 28 and will be followed by a lunar eclipse. It will be even closer to the Earth than the one tonight.
What is the astronomical term for a Supermoon?
A “perigee-syzygy”. “Perigee” refers to the closest point on the Moon's elipsis, and “syzygy” refers to three celestial bodies being in a straight line together. Most people just say Supermoon.
Are there any downsides?
Moons extra close to the Earth - not always strictly Supermoons - have been known to cause exceptionally high tides. A mammoth tide surrounded the coastal town of Mont St Michel in France, and the Thames Barrier was closed to protect London, during the solar eclipse and close Moon in March earlier this year.
You can watch the Moon rise in the Canary Islands at http://main.slooh.com/event/supermoon-rising/.
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