 |
|
A “supermoon” lights up the night sky above Xingyi, the capital city of Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture on Nov 14. [Photo/zgqxn.com] |
The sky above Xingyi was lit up by the largest moon since 1948 on Nov 14.
The “supermoon” appeared up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter as it passed through the night sky the closest to the earth it has been in 68 years. This event happens when the moon is full at the same time as, or very near, perigee - its closest point to Earth on its elliptical, monthly orbit.
"On Nov 14, it became full within about two hours of perigee - arguably making it an extra-super moon," NASA said on its website.
The orbit itself is changeable, meaning the distance from Earth differs from perigee to perigee - this time it was the closest since 1948 at a distance of 356,509 kilometers.
Edited by Owen Fishwick
