Starwatch: close encounter with a supermoon

On July 13th, the full moon will be a super moon.

Everyone agrees that a super moon is when the full moon is closest to the Earth. A super moon is a full moon that is larger and brighter than any other full moon.

Richard Nolle was the person who came up with the term. He defined a super moon to be any full moon that takes place within 90 percent of Earth's closest approach. This definition has been adopted by the space agency. Some people make more complex calculations.

This is the closest super moon of the year. It will be just over two hundred thousand miles above Earth. The precise moment of a full moon is nine and a half hours after the perigee. In the early hours of 16 July, there will be a conjunction between the moon andSaturn.