It takes "Superpe?nia". Moon approached the Earth to the smallest ... - Gazeta Wyborcza

little sin now I am committed to using the phrase “Superksi??yc”. Astronomers do not like him. It was formed for the purpose of astrology and referred to the situation in which the full-moon is in perigee of its orbit – that is, at the point closest to the Earth on its elliptical orbit.

Class=”txt_srodtytul”> How close The moon will be?

average distance is 384 400 km. On Sunday, during the full moon will be about 27.3 thousand. km closer than usual. What does it mean?

Unless will be bigger and brighter?

“bald” as it was familiarly called astronomy enthusiasts, will be slightly higher (by 14 per cent.) and lighter (by 30 per cent.) than in the opposite situation, when it is farthest from the Earth, ie, at the height of the orbit.

Discussion remains that, if a man is able to detect such a difference. Some argue that it is obvious, but there are also those who consider it autosuggestion. Typically, he lacks overhead benchmarks by which such differences can be assessed.

However, this weekend our senses will be somewhat easier task. On Friday came out for the summer solstice. A summer our natural satellite marches during a full exceptionally low on the horizon.

This is due to an overlap of the effects from the tilt axis of the Earth with an inclination of the Moon’s orbit relative to the equator of the planet. As a result, when the Moon moves just above the trees and buildings. With this reference point, the easier it is noted that it is actually larger.

But in the case of lunar which is very low on the horizon you need to take into account the additional effect of enlargement – moon illusion. Because of the not fully understood by psychologists and astronomers reasons moon low in the sky always seems to us more, but paradoxically we have in him then further than the moon that shines over your head. We fall into a trap set by our brain.

Is “Superksi??yc” something we are in danger?

Moon this weekend will look really special. But there are some who will not go for a walk. Out of fear. For a long time functioned a lot of superstitions about “Superksi??yca”. He was to cause distress to the animals, strange behavior in humans, an increased number of suicides or just higher tides.

The fact remains, only the higher tides, but only about 3-4 cm. Other myths refute hard police statistics.

How best to watch?

Take a place from which we will have a good view of the southern horizon. May be a good choice meadow north shore of the lake and a balcony with views to the south.

On Sunday, the moon rises at Warsaw approx. 20.50 – almost flush with the sunset.

* Charles Wojcicki – popularizer of astronomy. He works in Heaven Copernicus – the Planetarium Science Center “Copernicus.” The Discovery Science leads the “secrets of the art”.