Brightest ‘Supermoon’ in 70 years on Monday

The biggest and brightest “supermoon” for almost 70 years will shine over the Earth on Monday.

Astronomers say that is because the moon will be so close to Earth on 14 November – just 221,525 miles – and it will appear to be up to 30% brighter and 14% bigger than average.

In the Middle East

The phenomenon expected to reach the peak at 13.52 GMT i.e (15:52 Cairo time, 17:00 Doha time, and 17.32 Dubai time), on November 14, but it will appear full to the casual observer in the day before and after the main event, astronomers said.

If you miss Monday’s spectacular, it should still appear bigger than usual on Tuesday evening but will be a fraction smaller.

But if you fail to see that you will have to wait until 25 November 2034, according to NASA.

Robin Scagell, vice-president of the Society for Popular Astronomy, explained why the moon appears to change size and brightness.

He said: “The moon’s distance from Earth varies because it has an elliptical rather than circular orbit, as do all planetary and satellite orbits.

“If the Earth and moon were the only objects in the universe and we were totally flexible and solid, every closest point (perigee) and every farthest point (apogee) would be identical for eternity.

The phenomenal ‘Supermoon’ explained in this video

Facts about the moon

:: The moon orbits the Earth every 27.5 days and the same side always faces us.

:: It is moving away from us at 3.8cm a year. In 50 million years it will take 47 days to orbit the Earth.

:: The moon is 2,159 miles in diameter – the fifth largest natural satellite in the solar system.

:: Just 24 people – all US astronauts – have seen the far side of the moon with their own eyes.

:: Only 12 people have walked on it (but not for 44 years).

:: You would weigh just 16.5% of your Earth weight on the moon because it has a much smaller mass

:: NASA plans to return to the moon with a human mission around 2019