天文爱好者争相观测“超级月亮”

    The largest full moon in more than 18 years — a so-called “supermoon” — did not disappoint eager skyw2atchers around the world Saturday when it rose, big and bright, into Earth’s night sky.

    The full moon of March was 356,575 kilometers on Saturday, March 19 just 50 minutes after it hit its full phase, making it the biggest and brightest full moon since 1993.

    The “supermoon” phenomenon occurred because the moon was in its full phase and just 50 minutes past perigee* — the point of its orbit that brings it closer to Earth.

    This year’s biggest full moon also gained notoriety* after erroneous* claims that it would spark waves of natural disasters around the world.

    Saturday’s full moon appeared 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than the smallest full moons that Earth sees. The next comparable full moon to offer a view like Saturday’s “supermoon” won’t occur until Nov. 14, 2016.(SD-Agencies)