Sounds impressive, but there are actually 4-6 super moons a year, on average, when the definition is:
…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.
- Richard Nolle of the website astropro.com
In fact, June 2013 presents the moon’s closest encounter with Earth until
August 10, 2014, at which time the moon will be a scant 5 kilometers
closer to Earth. The full moon will come even closer to Earth on
September 28, 2015 (356,877 kilometers) and closer yet on November 14,
2016 (356,509 kilometers). November 2016 will feature the closest full
moon until November 25, 2034! Maybe this helps you see that supermoons –
while interesting – are fairly routine astronomical events.
- earthsky.org
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