Super Moon on rise: Pakistan to witness the sight today

Pakistanis are in for a rare treat Monday (today) as the Moon will be the closest to Earth it has been since January 1948.

According to Pakistan Metrological department, the moon will appear biggest when it reaches the peak of its full phase and if the skies are clear, at around 6.52pm, the moon will appear 14 per cent bigger and 30pc brighter than a normal full moon.

The Met Office explained that the orbit of the moon around the Earth is elliptical, not circular, which causes a change in distance between the two.

This would be the largest, brightest full moon in nearly seven decades, media added, promising Earth-bound sky-watchers a celestial spectacle.

The full moon will come nearer to the Earth than at any time since 1948, astronomers said. At closest approach, the moon will pass within 348,400 kilometres of Earth’s surface, about 35,400km closer than average, they added.

A supermoon occurs when the timing of a full moon overlaps with the point in the moon’s 28-day orbit that is closest to the Earth. About every 14th full moon is a supermoon, said University of Wisconsin astronomer Jim Lattis.

The moon is at its best view if you’re viewing from a spot where the Moon is sitting closer to the horizon, which creates what’s known as ‘moon illusion’.

“The full moon of November 14 is not only the closest full moon of 2016 but also the closest full moon to date in the 21st century,” NASA said.

The next time a full moon comes as close to the Earth will be in 2034.

“When the moon is near the horizon, it can look unnaturally large when viewed through trees, buildings, or other foreground objects,” says NASA. “The effect is an optical illusion, but that fact doesn’t take away from the experience.”

“If you could stack up to full moons next to each other, there is clearly a difference,” Lattis said, but to a casual observer, it is going to look very similar to a regular full moon.

“The difference in distance from one night to the next will be very subtle, so if it’s cloudy on Sunday, go out on Monday. Any time after sunset should be fine,”NASA’s deputy project scientist Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Noah Petro, said in a statement.