The Moon orbits Earth in an elliptical orbit (not a perfect circle), hence the distance of the Moon from the Earth varies throughout the year… from between 356,500 km (221,500 mi) at the Perigee and 406,700 km (252,700 mi) at the Apogee.
When a Full Moon or New Moon coincides with being Perigee (closest to Earth), it is deemed a SUPERMOON. Conversely, when a Full Moon or New Moon coincides with being Apogee (furthest from Earth), it is deemed a MICROMOON
SUPER MOONS – Definition
The term ‘SuperMoon’ was coined by Richard Nolle in 1979 – as follows:
“…a new or full moon which occurs with the Moon at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth in a given (yearly) orbit (perigee). In short, Earth, Moon and Sun are all in a line, with Moon in its nearest approach to Earth..”
And a slightly broader definition of SuperMoon by Fred Espenak as follows:
“…a new or full moon which occurs with the Moon at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth in a currently monthly orbit, relative to the most recent perigee and the upcoming apogee.”
The term supermoon is not used within the astronomical community, which uses the term perigee-syzygy or perigee full/new moon. Perigee is the point at which the Moon is closest in its orbit to the Earth, and syzygy is when the Earth, the Moon and the Sun are aligned.
Super Moons of 2017/2018
Based on the above definitions, 2017 will have 6 supermoons as follows:
26 April 2017 – New Moon Super Moon
26 May 2017 – New Moon Super Moon (Closest Moon of 2017)
24 June 2017 – New Moon Super Moon
23 July 2017 – New Moon Super Moon
4 November 2017 – Full Moon Super Moon
4 December 2017 – Full Moon Super Moon
Followed by the following Supermoons in January 2018:
2 January 2018 – Full Moon Super Moon
31 January 2018 – Full Moon Super Moon (& Blue Moon)
Find the Date/Time in your Local Time>
Effect of Super Moons – Physical
Referring to the images right (click to enlarge), around each Full Moon and New Moon – when the Sun, Earth & Moon are located more or less on a line in space – the gravitational pull on the Earths Oceans are affected, hence the range between high and low tides is greatest. These tides are referred to as SPRING TIDES.
During a SUPERMOON, due to the Moon being especially close to Earth, this alignment and greater gravitational pull of the Moon on Earths Oceans accentuates our Spring Tides even more… giving us an even HIGHER High Tide and an even LOWER Low Tide than normal. These amplified tides are referred to as PERIGEE SPRING TIDES.
It is unlikely that Perigee Spring Tides will cause flooding… unless of course the tides are associated with a strong weather system.
But it is interesting to note, that historically after a SUPERMOON (either Perigee Full or New Moon), strong correlations have been drawn between SUPERMOON energy and Earthquakes, Storm Cells & dramatic changes in weather patterns.
Effect of Super Moons – Energetic
Whilst Super Moons have been shown to affect the tides above, just like the Earth’s Surface humans are also made up of over 70% water… hence the gravitation pull of the Moon also affects us !
SUPERMOONS ‘amplify’ and affect our physical, emotion & mental states of beingness.
Based on the SUPERMOONS alignments with other planets, constellations & energetic bodies within our cosmos.. as well as the SUPERMOONS position within our own Astrological Charts, SUPERMOONS affect each individual differently. But what can generally be said is that SUPERMOONS are amplifiers of our energy fields and awaken higher potentials of the current planetary alignments that they are associated with.
What does this all mean ?
Energy runs high during a SUPERMOON… you may feel more emotional, electric, experience sleep disturbances or have expressive / lucid dreams. You may also find your intuition is heightened, synchronicity more pronounced and you become more aware or sensitive to the energy of the environment / people / plants / animals… actually everything !
The best way to balance with this highly charged energy is to Earth yourself by walking bare foot on the ground, hiking in nature, swimming in a lake or the ocean or connecting with Crystals / Earths Crystalline Field.
Does a Super Moon look different ?
When comparing a SUPERMOON to a MICRO Moon, the Moon’s luminosity will be up to 30% brighter and the Moon will appear from Earth to be up to 14% Bigger.
The Closest Supermoons
On November 14, 2016, the closest Full Moon SUPERMOON was 356,509 km.
The closest Full Moon SUPERMOON this year falls on the 4 December 2017 (357,492 km) and followed by 2 January 2018 (356,565 km).
Looking further into the future, the perigee full moon will come closer than 356,500 kilometers for the first time in the 21st century (2001-2100) on November 25, 2034 (356,446 km). The closest full moon of the 21st century will fall on December 6, 2052 (356,425 km).
MICRO MOONS – Definition
A MICROMOON is the Astrological term for the Moon (New Moon or Full Moon) when it is the furthest away from the Earth. Astronomers call these moons ‘Apogee Moon’ meaning ‘away from Earth’.
Micro Moon is the term used by Astrologers, but Astromers refer to this as a ‘Apogee Moon’.
This years MICROMOON will fall on the 19 December 2017 (less than a day after the 18 December NEW MOON).
On the 19 December 2017, the Moon will lie about 49,395 km farther away from Earth than will the year’s closest full moon – the full supermoon on the 26 May 2017.
Find the NEW MOON Date/Time in your Local Time
OmAhOm
xx Simone