New Delhi, March 19: The Moon will look bigger and brighter from the Earth Saturday as the rare celestial phenomenon called ‘supermoon’ will take place in the night sky.
“Supermoon is a situation when the Moon is slightly closer to the Earth in its orbit. This happens in the full moon phase after 18 years,” said Mila Mitra, scientific officer and event head at the NGO Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE).
It will be around 10 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter as compared to other full moons during the year, said an expert.
On Saturday, the Moon will be at a distance of 356,577 km from the Earth, said N. Rathnasree, director of Nehru planetarium here.
Experts believe the supermoon will not have a devastating effect.
“The moon is a bit closer, so the tides are expected to be higher. Apart from these effects, it’s a normal phenomenon. It is a moment for sky gazers,” said Rathnasree.
The term Supermoon was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979.
Said Mitra: “It is to be enjoyed and cherished as it a rare celestial phenomenon.”
–IANS