August 2014 Supermoon

Moon at Apogee and Perigee

We are in the midst of a three-month period of Supermoons, a confluence of orbital nodes that brings us the Full Moon phase at the same time as Perigee, the closest approach of the Moon to the Earth. The next one is on August 10. The difference in the Moon's distance from the Earth from Perigee to Apogee is quite substantial, varying from 222,000 miles out to 253,000 miles, leading to the a 14% difference in the apparent size of the Moon. In addition, the Moon will be at the peak of the ascending node of its orbit, placing it somewhat higher in the sky than is typical for summer Full Moons.

There will be an earth-bound effect in the king tides that will result from the Supermoon and other factors. Here's my write-up about the impact on tides and the significant ebb tides we can expect this weekend.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.