Bigger and brighter 'supermoon' graces the night skyA "supermoon" has graced the skies, appearing bigger and brighter than usual, as it comes closer to the Earth - and is likely to bring higher tides.The phenomenon, known as a perigee full moon, means the Moon appears up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than when it is furthest from the planet.The optimum effect was seen - cloud permitting - at 04:30 BST (03:30 GMT).The Royal Astronomical Society's Dr Robert Massey said the Moon's size may be more obvious than its brightness.
"The eye is so good at compensating for changes in brightness that you simply don't notice (that element) so much," he said.When the Moon appears at its biggest it will be just 356,400km (221,457 miles) away, compared to its usual distance from Earth of 384,000km (238,606 miles).He added: "The Moon is always beautiful and a full moon is always dramatic."Dr Massey said: "When the Moon is closest to the Earth and full or Scientists have dismissed the idea the perigee could cause strange behaviour - like lycanthropy - or natural disasters.cular one
"The eye is so good at compensating for changes in brightness that you simply don't notice (that element) so much," he said.When the Moon appears at its biggest it will be just 356,400km (221,457 miles) away, compared to its usual distance from Earth of 384,000km (238,606 miles).He added: "The Moon is always beautiful and a full moon is always dramatic."Dr Massey said: "When the Moon is closest to the Earth and full or Scientists have dismissed the idea the perigee could cause strange behaviour - like lycanthropy - or natural disasters.cular one
