Saturday's supermoon promises a celestial treat

A supermoon is new or a full moon which is very close to Earth, and it happens just once in every two or three years.

The event is not so uncommon, but this time the moon will be just 221,567 miles from Earth, closest to the planet since 1993.

Supermoon: a great celestial show
The moon will appear closest to the planet on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. At its peek, the full moon will be 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the average full moon.

Though scientists are saying that the event will be a treat to the eyes, some astrologers have warned that moon's closest approach to Earth may trigger tidal waves, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other disasters.

The moon will rise in the east at sunset and it will appear amazingly bigger at that time because of the optical trick called “moon illusion.” This is also the best time to look at the moon.

According to Nasa, “For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, low-hanging moons look unnaturally large when they beam through trees, buildings and other foreground objects.”

"It'll be a neat event. So, if you have clear skies, look to the east and obviously you'll see the moon," stated Joe Gonzalez, president of the Central Appalachian Astronomy Club.

However, a causal observer will not notice the difference.

Will phenomenon cause moonquakes?
Though scientists are saying that the event will be a treat to the eyes, some astrologers have warned that moon's closest approach to Earth may trigger tidal waves, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other disasters.

According to them, due to moon's closeness to Earth, the gravitational pull on the tides will intensify. Also, there will be changes in planet's crust, leading to shift in tectonic plates.

Richard Nolle, a noted astrologer, stated, “The March 19 SuperMoon is by far the most significant storm and seismic indicator this month.”

In the past, many natural disasters like Cyclone Tracy that caused havoc in Darwin, Australia in 1974, and tsunami in 2005 have been linked to supermoons.

Also, the recent massive earthquake and tsumani in Japan have raised concerns about the factors involved.

However, the astronomers have quelled these fears and ruled out the prediction.

"Every time this happens, we get the same ‘supermoon' business," stated Joe Sowers, Richard Stockton College astronomy instructor.

"No, it will not cause earthquakes. No, it won't cause volcanic eruptions. Yes, the tides will be higher, but they're high every full moon,” he added.

Further, geologist Bill Burton with US Geological Survey, added, “The Japanese quake didn't occur while the moon was close to Earth at all, so we can't link those events. It occurred a week before the lunar perigee, while the ocean was at weak tide.”