Supermoon on December 3, 2017 and January 2, 2018
A SPECTACULAR lunar event takes place on December 3, 2017 when the moon gets closest to Earth from 6 pm Thai time onward, INN News reported today (Nov. 28).
Dr. Saran Poshyachinda, director of National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, said on the night of December 3 a Supermoon will enthrall all gazing up to the sky, as it will appear 14% larger than a normal full moon and 30% brighter.
In Thailand the Supermoon, when it will be closed to earth at around 357,973 kilometers, would be visible with the naked eye in the east from 6 pm onward.
Dr. Saran added that while the December 3 Supermoon is the biggest in 2017, on January 2, 2018 it will move even closer, at 356,595 kilometers, and so will appear a little bigger than the December 3 showing. The January 2 Supermoon will also be the biggest in 2018.
Meanwhile The Mirror quoted Dr Marek Kukula, public astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, as saying: “If a full moon happens to occur when the moon is also at its closest point then it will look slightly larger and brighter than usual, popularly known as a ‘Supermoon’.
“It is a natural part of the moon cycle and happens around once a year.
“The differences in apparent size and brightness amount to few percent but they can enhance the already beautiful sight of the full moon, making a Supermoon worth looking up for.”
National Public Radio published recommendations from NASA’s staff photographer Bill Ingalls:
” ‘Don’t make the mistake of photographing the moon by itself with no reference to anything,’ he said. ‘I’ve certainly done it myself, but everyone will get that shot. Instead, think of how to make the image creative—that means tying it into some land-based object. It can be a local landmark or anything to give your photo a sense of place.’ ”
He also recommends using the reactions on people’s faces in photos. While it’s difficult to get a quality shot with a smartphone, it’s not impossible.
“Tap the screen and hold your finger on the object (in this case, the moon) to lock the focus,” Ingalls told NASA. “Then slide your finger up or down to darken or lighten the exposure.”
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Top: The moon rises beyond the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, Kansas, on November 13, 2016. Photo: Orlin Wagner/AP via National Public Radio Inc (www.npr.org)
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