BSU Astrophysicists: Two Supermoons to Illuminate the Sky Before Year-End
Two supermoons will be visible on November 5 and December 4, according to the Department of Astrophysics of the Faculty of Physics at Baku State University (BSU).
A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with the Moon’s perigee — the point in its orbit closest to Earth. If this distance is less than 360,000 km, the full moon is classified as a supermoon.
During this period, the Moon appears 7–14% larger and 15–30% brighter than an average full moon. On November 5 and December 4, the Moon will appear approximately 8% larger and 16% brighter than usual.
The distance between the Moon and Earth will be 356,832 km on November 5 and 356,961 km on December 4. Historically, the closest recorded lunar perigee occurred on January 4, 1912 (356,375 km). Subsequent close approaches took place on January 26, 1948 (356,508 km), November 14, 2016 (356,509 km), and January 1, 2018 (356,565 km). The next closest perigee — 356,447 km — is expected on November 25, 2034.
Experts emphasize that a supermoon poses no threat to humans. However, the Moon’s gravitational pull slightly increases during these events, which may cause sea levels to rise 3–5 cm above the average.