Skip to main content

The 2017 supermoon: How to see it and get the best photo

The 2017 supermoon: How to see it and get the best photo

By skunty empire
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
7 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
8 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
9 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
10 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
11 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
12 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
13 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
1 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
2 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
3 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
4 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
5 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
6 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
7 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
8 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
9 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
10 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
11 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
12 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
13 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
1 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
2 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
3 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
4 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
5 of 13
Show Caption
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
6 of 13
Show Caption

Story highlights

  • The supermoon will be visible on the night of December 3
  • But if you miss it, there will be two more supermoons in January
(CNN) — On Sunday, stargazers, astronomers and curious sky-watchers will get a chance to witness the first and only full moon supermoon of 2017.
On Sunday night, the moon will shine 16% brighter and appear 7% larger than its usual size. Last year, a memorable supermoon was marked in the history books. In November 2016, the moon was closest to the Earth than it had been since 1948, producing a supersized supermoon.
This supermoon will be the first in the series of three consecutive full moon supermoons, the next two will be in January.
So when is the best time to look?
Most astronomers suggest watching the supermoon right after sunset and into moonrise, and minutes before the next sunrise as well.
According to timeanddate.com, the best time to enjoy a full moon supermoon is after moonrise when it is just above the horizon. At this point, a supermoon looks bigger and brighter than when it's higher up in the sky.
While the moon officially reached its fullest Sunday morning, it will continue to appear "super" until it sets once again.
And for anyone unable to step outside and see the moon, you can watch a livestreamof the phenomenon.

The science behind the supermoon

Michelle Nichols, director of public observing at Chicago's Adler Planetarium, explained the moon's captivating close approach to the Earth.
"The moon's orbit is not a perfect circle. It's more like an oval, so at times it's closer to the Earth than it is at other times. The difference in distance between these close and far points can be as much as about 30,000 miles."
The distance between the moon and Earth constantly changes. Each time the moon orbits the Earth, every 29.5 days, it will reach a close point to the Earth (perigee), and a far point (apogee), and occasionally, the close point will be close to the date of the full moon or new moon, a supermoon.
"For this year's final supermoon, the perigee distance will be approximately 222,135 miles in the early morning hours of December 4 (in the United States)," says Nichols.
The moon rises behind the Uppatasanti Pagoda seen in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. The Dec. 3 full moon is the first of three consecutive supermoons. The two will occur on Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, 2018.(AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)
The moon rises behind the Uppatasanti Pagoda seen in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. The Dec. 3 full moon is the first of three consecutive supermoons. The two will occur on Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, 2018.(AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)
And while it may appear super, the term "supermoon" is not the official term for the astronomical phenomenon. The scientific term is "perigee syzygy." Perigee syzygy has occurred three previous times in 2017.
However, December's full moon is the only visible supermoon. That's because the previous two were around the time of a new moon, which isn't visible in the sky.
For Muslims all over the world, this supermoon marked an important date. According to the Islamic calendar, the months start with the sighting of the waxing crescent moon shortly after sunset. This month's full moon approaches the middle of Rabi' al-awwal, the third month of the calendar.
This is a time when most Muslims around the world celebrate Mawlid, or the birth of the prophet Muhammad. While different sects of Islam celebrate the prophet's birthday on different days, the majority of Muslims celebrated his birth which coincidentally aligned with this year's only full moon supermoon.

Don't let your eyes fool you

While the moon undoubtedly appears both bigger and brighter than usual, our eyes tend to trick us into seeing the moon as larger than it truly is.
Part of it depends on where you're viewing the supermoon.
"When you look at it from near the horizon, there's an optical illusion," says Nichols. When the supermoon is viewed low on the horizon, it appears huge. This is known as the moon illusion and the moon hasn't grown; it's a trick your eyes are playing on you.
A supermoon sets at the US-Mexico border fence in November 2016.
A supermoon sets at the US-Mexico border fence in November 2016.
Nichols says that despite the visible difference between a regular full moon and a supermoon, it is not as grand as it appears.
"If you stretch out your arm at full length, and stretch out your thumb, and compare the size of the full moon in the sky to the size of your thumb, you'll notice the width of the full moon compared to the size of your thumb; you can put four full moons across the width of your thumb."
Considering that a full moon can be covered with a fingernail, even a 7% larger moon may not look that much bigger.

How to photograph the supermoon

For everyone waiting to catch a glimpse of the last supermoon of 2017, taking pictures to preserve the moment can be easy.
Bill Ingalls, a NASA photographer, says that those capturing the event through their smartphones have to focus on the correct light balance.
"Tap the screen and hold your finger on the object (in this case, the moon) to lock the focus. Then slide your finger up or down to darken or lighten the exposure."
For those using DSLR cameras, Ingalls recommends using another subject in the image, like a person, pet or landmark to compare to the size of the moon.
"Often I find when the moon is near the horizon I have a better chance of incorporating it with a landmark or person, but there are no rules and sometimes a tall object such as the Washington Monument here in DC can be used when the moon is at a very high angle."
A supermoon rises behind Glastonbury Tor in September  2015 in Glastonbury, England.
A supermoon rises behind Glastonbury Tor in September 2015 in Glastonbury, England.
While the supermoon can come out looking larger in photos (thanks to long lenses and editing) than it does when looking at it in person, Nichols says it is an incredible opportunity to get people interested in science and astronomy.
"The supermoon gets headlines because the moon's a little bigger and a little brighter, but people get frustrated that they can't always tell the difference. Still, it's a great excuse to just go out and look at the sky," says Nichols.
"You can do the experiment with your outstretched thumb. Do it near the horizon, and do it again away from the horizon. Then do it somewhere else. It's a fun way to get involved in science."

Comments

TRENDING

FBI Busted NBA Youngboy in L.A. for Alleged Gun Violations in Louisiana

Pasta With Andouille Sausage, Beans and Greens

SEE How Bobrisky Passionately Kisses Tonto Dikeh

BBnaija: Bambam unexpectedly removed from the house

How To Cook Spaghetti With Fresh Tomato and Basil Sauce

NBC Fires Matt Lauer Over Sexual Misconduct Allegation

Is bollywood actor Irrfan Khan dead?

South Korea holds live fire drills

Popular posts from this blog

FBI Busted NBA Youngboy in L.A. for Alleged Gun Violations in Louisiana

FBI Busted NBA Youngboy in L.A. for Alleged Gun Violations in Louisiana Now we know why the FBI was so hot on NBA Youngboy's trail in Los Angeles -- it's all over an arrest that went down 6 months ago in Louisiana ... TMZ has learned. We broke the story ... FBI agents and LAPD busted Youngboy Monday after a brief.. FBI agents and LAPD  busted Youngboy Monday  after a brief, but dramatic pursuit ended with cops sending K-9 units to track down the rapper. According to the federal indictment, the feds had unfinished business with Youngboy ... stemming from a drug bust back in September   In the docs, obtained by TMZ, federal prosecutors take issue with 2 guns Youngboy allegedly had on him when cops arrested him in Baton Rouge for drugs. The feds claim he had a .45 pistol and a 9mm handgun -- both are major no-nos for him because he has a previous felony on his record, for an aggravated assault. In addition, the feds say the 9mm was not registered to NBA Youngboy. Accord...

Pasta With Andouille Sausage, Beans and Greens

Sconty kitchen  Recently, Questions have been coming in on how to cook With   Andouille sausage?. Emmanuel for Sconty Empire  This Highly seasoned Andouille sausage makes this pasta extra-zippy, while white beans and collard greens give it a rustic flair. They are not ingredients typically used in pasta, but this dish may become part of your regular rotation once you try it. This one-dish dinner is perfect for cold, cozy nights when you want something hearty to stick to your bones, but it will satisfy any time. Swirling in lemon juice and olive oil just before serving adds freshness and ties all of the flavors together. Recipes  Salt and black pepper 1   pound rigatoni or any pasta with ridges 2   tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 12   ounces Andouille sausage, diced 1   shallot, minced 2   garlic cloves, minced 1   bunch collard greens, stems discarded, leaves coarsely chopped (4 1/2 cups) 1   tablesp...

SEE How Bobrisky Passionately Kisses Tonto Dikeh

PHOTO: Bobrisky Passionately Kisses Tonto Dikeh tonto dikeh and bobrisky. During Tonto Dikeh's recent 33rd birthday party, she was caught on camera kissing Nigeria's male Barbie and cross dresser on the lips Is Tonto Dikeh trying to turn Bobrisky back into a man or into a lesbian? During her 33rd birthday celebrations the Nollywood actress locked lips with Bobrisky. Nigeria's only male Barbie, shared this intimate moment on Instagram. "Thanks for accepting me the way I am. One thing people should learn from u is your tolerance to people. U are one in a million and I promise to be loyal to u as long as I'm living as my big sister ??" he wrote on Instagram. Tonto Dikeh has been sharing her new relationship with God on Instagram. She even allegedly  'wrote in tongues' on fellow actor turned evangelist Majid Michel's social media page. But this picture making the rounds has left many mouths wide open. Was Tonto trying t...

BBnaija: Bambam unexpectedly removed from the house

Hello world hope you all are having a good time.,   Read, share , if you wish to contact me I would love to hear from you ..... Use the contact form   BBnaija:  Bambam unexpectedly removed from the house     In a shocking twist of event.. BamBam has been evicted from the Big Brother Naija House. Last week, Ebuka announced that a special guest was coming into the house, after their Saturday Night Party.. and surprisingly, the guest was "Steve" from Deloitte.. and he came in with the name of the housemate with the least amount of vote. Bambam is the 10th housemate to leave the House, saw everyone bid her a beautiful farewell and then exited the House with grace after she was instructed to leave the house.