November’s ‘Super Moon’ Will Be One to Remember

It a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s super moon! That was a test. If you recognize that phrase, that means you are old enough to know better.

So what is a super moon? Simply stated, for those of us who didn’t pay attention in class, it’s when the moon’s orbit is closer to Earth than usual, and the effect is most noticeable when it occurs around the same time as a full moon. Hence the name.

According to NASA, the November full moon is not only the closest full moon of 2016, but will be the closest it’s been to earth in 86 years. Specifically, it will be the closest full moon since 1948 (don’t worry, although I’m a Cubs fan, I won’t mention that is the last time the Cleveland Indians won the World Series. I’m above that sort of smack-talk), and won’t come this close to Earth again until 2034.

On the nights of Nov. 13^th and 14^th, the moon will look extra full and bright all night long. If you get a chance, watch for it as it rises in the east around sunset; it will be huge. It will stay large and bright all night as it climbs highest around midnight and then sets in the west at or near sunrise.

According to sources far more educated than this writer, the exact moment of the full moon is the morning of Nov. 14 at 5:52 a.m. PST. The moon will reach perigee, which is the moon’s closest point to Earth for this month approximately within about 90 minutes of that time.

Scientists claim that it can appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter than usual. And one of the many advantages to living in San Diego is that we get to see the moon almost every night, unless you live right on the coast (which if you do, you have no right to whine).

There’s just something about that ole’ devil moon.