Super Moon – Super Full Moon

A super full moon occurs when the moon’s closest approach to the Earth (lunar perigee) coincides with the phase of full moon. When this happens the moon may seem bigger and brighter. However, for the ordinary star-gazer there will be no significant difference.

Use the Moon Distance Calculator to find out when the next super full moon will occur in your location.
http://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/moon/distance.html

During a super full moon, the moon may appear bigger and brighter.

What is a Super Full Moon?

The distance of the moon from the Earth varies throughout the month and year. The average distance is about 238,000 miles (382,900 kilometers). The moon's position furthest away from Earth is called “apogee” while its closest approach to Earth is referred to as “perigee”. These events do not regularly coincide with the phases of the moon. However, it can happen that the moon is at perigee during the phase of full moon. This event is referred to as Super Full Moon.

There are no universal rules as to how close the moon must be to qualify as a Super Full Moon. timeanddate.com uses the following definition:

If a full moon is closer than 360,000 kilometers at perigee, it is considered a Super Full Moon.
If it is further away than 400,000 kilometers at apogee, it is listed as a Micro Moon.

Terminology

The technical term for a Super Full Moon is “perigee-syzygy of the Earth-Moon-Sun system”. In astronomy, the term “syzygy” refers to the straight-line configuration of three celestial bodies, which also occurs during a full moon (Sun – Earth – Moon).

The super full moon is also colloquially referred to as “supermoon”, which is a term coined by astrologer Richard Nolle.

Natural disaster trigger?

Fears that a Super Full Moon may increase the probability and severity of natural disasters can also be traced back to theories devised by astrologers. Richard Nolle claims that when the moon goes super extreme, the results will be huge storms, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, and other natural disasters. However, none of these claims withstand scientific scrutiny, and fears of the disaster-inducing potential of Super Full Moons are unfounded.

Although the sun and the moon’s alignment cause a small increase in tectonic activity, the effects of the Super Full Moon on Earth are minor. Many scientists have conducted studies and haven’t found anything significant that can link the Super Full Moon to natural disasters.

According to NASA, the combination of the moon being at its closest and in its “full moon” phase, should not affect the internal energy balance of the Earth since there are lunar tides every day. There is a small difference in tidal forces exerted by the moon’s gravitational pull at lunar perigee. However, they are too small to overcome the larger forces within the planet.

Typical Effects of the Moon

The moon is the Earth’s only natural satellite and the second brightest object in the sky after the Sun due to its soil’s reflective properties. It is in a synchronous rotation with the Earth, spinning at about the same speed and direction as it orbits around the Earth. This means that the same side always faces the Earth, and the half of the moon's surface that is facing outwards is never directly visible from Earth.

The tides on Earth are mostly generated by the intensity of the Moon’s gravitational pull from one side of the Earth to the other. The moon’s gravity can cause small ebbs and flows in the continents called land tides or solid Earth tides. These are greatest during the full and new moons because the sun and moon are aligned on the same or opposite sides of the Earth.

Micro Moon

The term Micro Moon refers to a full Moon that occurs when the Moon is farthest from the Earth.

Use the Moon Distance Calculator to find out when the next Micro Full Moon will occur in your location.
http://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/moon/distance.html

A micro moon occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon's approach to its Apogee.

What is a Micro Moon?

Contrary to popular belief, the Moon orbits the Earth in an elliptical path, with one side of the path closer to the Earth than the other. The point closest to the Earth is called the perigee, while the point farthest from the Earth is known as the apogee. The average distance between the two extreme points is 237,700 miles or 382,500 km.

When a full Moon coincides with the Moon’s position at apogee, it is referred to as a Micro Moon or a Mini Moon. Sometimes also called an Apogee Moon, a Micro Moon looks approximately 14 percent smaller, and around 30 percent less bright than a Super Moon.

The last Micro Full Moon occurred on January 16, 2014 and the next one occurs on March 5, 2015.

There are no universal rules as to how far away the Moon must be to qualify as a Micro Moon. timeanddate.com uses the following definition:

If it is further away than 400,000 kilometers at apogee, it is listed as a Micro Moon.
If a full moon is closer than 360,000 kilometers at perigee, it is considered a Super Full Moon.

Effects on Earth

Folklore accounts suggest that full Moons and Micro Moons affect human mental health and bring on natural disasters. Scientists have not found any evidence for any such correlation.

It has been well documented, however, that the Moon’s gravitational pull, among other forces, affects tides on earth. When the Moon is closer to the Earth or at its Perigee, it exerts high gravitational pulls, leading to high tides and a larger variation between high and low tides. On the other hand, when the Moon is at its apogee, it exerts its lowest gravitational pull, leading to low tides and a smaller variation between high and low tides. This is true irrespective of whether the Moon is a full Moon while approaching these two extreme points.