Rare astronomical phenomenon ‘Supermoon’ observed at IST Space Observatory

Islamabad

It is always a spectacular sight to witness and keenly observe any rare astronomical phenomenon because it comes after decades and one would be lucky enough to witness such events once in their lifetime. This year another such event was witnessed by the world in November, the Supermoon was observed globally by naked eyes.

Full moon is caused by a special alignment of the three most important heavenly objects to us, i.e., Earth, the Sun and the Moon. During full moon phase, the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth such that as one (Sun) sets the other rises (Moon). Also the face of moon pointing to Earth is fully lit up reflecting about 10 per cent of the Sun’s light that falls on it towards Earth.

In accordance with the occurrence of this rare Supermoon, Institute of Space and Technology made special arrangement on Monday evening to observe the Supermoon from the roof top space observatory with the team of faculty and students. About 50 students and faculty member of the institute witnessed it not only with naked eyes but using 0.4 and 0.25 meter optical telescope installed at the IST observatory. 

Dr. Fazeel Mahmood Khan Assistant professor Space Science while talking to this scribe said that Monday’s full moon was special in the sense that it was roughly 14 per cent greater in size and 30 per cent brighter than the normal full moon. This once in a life viewing chance happens due to coincidence of following couplings.  

Moon has an elliptical orbit (oval shape) around Earth such that the distance between the two changes. Its closest approach to the Earth is known as perigee and the farthest point in its orbit is known as apogee. This time full moon will occur when moon is within 90 per cent of the closest possible approach to Earth.

He said that Earth also orbits the Sun in an elliptical orbit. Around this time of the year in winter, Earth also approaches perihelion -- that is its closest approach to the Sun. As moon is naturally following the earth while orbiting it, it is also relatively nearby to the Sun than usual.

Above two phenomena add up and gave us a very large and bright Supermoon and as everything was relatively close, it also lead to higher than normal tidal effects too. Last time Supermoon with similar brightness and size occurred about 70 years ago and next such alignment will happen in November, 2034.