Super Moon: a Unique Celestial Phenomenon in May 2012

Published by
Anna LeMind, B.A.

This May, we will have a spectacular celestial event – a super moon!

The moon’s distance from the Earth is not always the same due to the elliptical shape of the orbit and variations in the gravitational attraction between the Moon, Earth, and Sun.

When a full moon occurs close to the perigee of the Moon (a point of its closest approach to the Earth) and its distance from our planet is much smaller than the usual one, then we can observe a “super moon” phenomenon.

Although every year, there is from 4 to 6 super moons, not all are the same as powerful, neither by the intensity nor by the duration of their effect. The full moon on May 6, 2012, has become a hot topic of discussion in scientific circles because it is going to be one of the most powerful super moons of recent years.

You have probably heard about the link between the full moon and human behavior. There is also a link between the phase of the moon and natural phenomena on Earth. When the moon is in its perigee, it is at its closest to our planet. For this reason, a super moon is sometimes associated with tremendous natural disasters, as well as with social uprisings.

NASA created a video that explains what is going to happen on 5 and 6 May 2012.

Did a super moon sink the Titanic?

However, many take the convincing statements of scientists with prejudice. Some people even get to the point to worry about the upcoming super moon, based on a recently published theory claiming that the Titanic was sunk by a powerful super moon!

They add that this year’s perigee will occur exactly 100 years after the legendary shipwreck. If it means absolutely nothing to skeptics and just rational people, for superstitious individuals and fans of conspiracy theories, it is a real thing!

So, the only thing is clear: the super moon of May 6 will be a unique observable phenomenon and will give us a fascinating celestial spectacle!

View Comments

  • My menstral cycle is ALWAYS between 28 -29 days. This month after the super moon I've had a 15 day cycle. Is it possible there is any connection here. Puzzled as this has never happened to me before.

  • Yes - my period was 10 days late and I was so wiped out and in so much pain for 4 days - extremely unusual for me - both the lateness and prolonged paid and fatigue. i have spoken to 4 other women who had a similar experience last week.... so the super moon did SOMETHING to our cycles. Not nice!

  • It will seem huge as it rises. Scientists don't really know why, but the moon appears larger to us when it's near the horizon. This moon illusion is in our minds, they say. You can prove it's an illusion: Hold the eraser of a pencil, or some other small object, at arm's length and compare it with the size of the moon as it rises. Do the same thing later in the evening when the moon is high up. You'll measure no difference.

Published by
Anna LeMind, B.A.