'Supermoon' on March 19th

Effects of the supermoon

 

By now you may have heard the hype making the rounds on the internet about the ‘Supermoon’ that will occur on March 19^th and how it is going to create large scale natural calamities around the world! The tragic earthquake in Japan followed by the tsunami and volcanic eruption have made people even more panicky as the supermoon approaches, as this appears to provide support to this theory! Lets find out more about this, and if it could happen! 

'Supermoon' as coined by Astrologer Richard Nolle is a situation when the moon is slightly closer to Earth in its orbit than on average (90% or more of its closest orbit) at its perigee point, and  the moon is a full or new moon. On the 19th, the moon will be only 221, 567 miles from earth, the closest point (while at the full moon phase) in 18 years. "The full Moon of March 19th occurs less than one hour away from perigee--a near-perfect coincidence that happens only 18 years or so," says Chester of the US Naval Research Lab. 

Distances between Earth and Moon:

Here are some numbers to understand the distances – Distance between Earth and Moon:           

At average Apogee (Furthest) – 405,696 km

At average Perigee (Closest) – 363, 104 km      

At closest perigee (Supermoon) on March 19th – 356,577 km

Distance on March 11^th, Day of Japan Earthquake – 3,94,000 km (Closer to Apogee!)

Effects of the Moon position:

The Sun and Moon do have a small but measurable effect on tides, in general. When the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in a straight line, that is, at new or full Moon — these effects are maximized and high and low tides are created, but these effects are minimal.

A perigee full Moon brings with it extra-high "perigean tides," but this is nothing to worry about, according to NOAA. In most places, lunar gravity at perigee pulls tide waters only a few centimeters (an inch or so) higher than usual. Local geography can amplify the effect to about 15 centimeters (six inches)--not exactly a great flood.

During full and new moons, "you see a less-than-one-percent increase in earthquake activity and a slightly higher response in volcanoes," seismologist John Vidale said. However, the moon's gravitational pull at lunar perigee (the closest approach of the moon during its orbit) does not have a significant effect, said John Bellini of the U.S. Geological Survey.

Note that on March 11^th, the day of the Japan earthquake, the position of the moon was closer to apogee (which is the furthest point) than perigee and not yet close to the average perigee point, so in that regard should not have been the cause of the earthquake in Japan!

Note that there are several supermoons that take place, about once a year. Very few have had any calamities happening at that time. This one happens to be the closest where it is also closest to the full moon (at the same hour) taking place in 18 years; although the moon was in fact closer placed in 2008 but the full moon phase then was 4hours after the perigee point!

Overall, it is unlikely that a supermoon will have more than a minor effect on weather and natural phenomena!  Previous incidents where it may have happened are judged to be a coincidence. So, go out on March 19^th and appreciate the beautiful moon which will be 30% brighter and 10% larger than other nights.