Don’t Miss the June Supermoon from Your Hot Tub Tomorrow Night

June 21, 2013
The supermoon of March 19, 2011 (right), compared to an average moon of December 20, 2010 (left). Note the size difference. Image Credit: Marco Langbroek, the Netherlands, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Supermoon of March 19, 2011 (right), compared to an average moon of December 20, 2010 (left). Note the size difference. Image Credit: Marco Langbroek, the Netherlands, via Wikimedia Commons.

The biggest, brightest Moon of the year is almost here.  So mark the date on your calendars and plan to see it from your Hot Spring Spa. 

On June 23, 2013, a Supermoon will occur.  What that means is that the Moon will be closer to the Earth than at any other time during the year — in fact, the upcoming Super Moon will be the closest encounter between the Earth and the Moon until August 2014.

The Moon will reach its closest distance to the Earth at exactly 7:32 am EDT (4:32 am PDT) on June 23, but because it will be peaking in the early morning hours, both June 22 and June 23 will put on similar shows.  So either day will be a good opportunity to see the larger-and-brighter-than-normal Supermoon.

This year the Supermoon will be up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical Full Moon is. This is a result of the Moon reaching its perigree — that is the closest that it gets to the Earth during the course of its orbit.

During perigree on June 23 the Moon will be “only” about 221,824 miles away, as compared to the 252,581 miles away that it is at its furthest distance from the Earth (apogee).  30,00 miles difference may not sound like a lot when considering the universe, but nevertheless, you’ll be able to see this  Supermoon and appreciate the increased size and brightness.

For more on the Supermoon and more reasons to look up from your hot tub see the website at EarthSky.org

Pray for a clear sky on the 22nd & 23rd. Then sink back in the swirling waters of your Hot Spring Spa and enjoy the show. If you take some pics from your hot tub of the Supermoon, share them with us!

 

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