In astrology, a supermoon is a full or new moon that coincides with a
close approach by the
Moon to the Earth. The Moon's distance varies each month between
approximately 354,000
km (220,000 mi) and 410,000km (254,000 mi) due to its elliptical orbit
around Earth.[1][2]
Definition The supermoon of March 19, 2011 (right) compared to a more
"average" moon of
December 20, 2010 (left)
The name SuperMoon was
coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979, defined as:"...a new or
full moon which
occurs with the Moon at or near(within 90% of) its closest approach to
Earth in a given orbit ( perigee). In short, Earth,
Moon and Sun are all in a line, with Moon in its nearest
approach to Earth.[3]
"