Astronomy lovers, set your alarm clock.
The next - and last - supermoon of the year will be visible on the night of Thursday to Friday August 12, at 3:36 a.m. (Paris time) precisely.
At this time, the Moon will appear larger (+about 17%) and brighter (+30%) than usual.
The Earth-Moon distance varies between about 356,500 km (perigee) and 406,700 km at the furthest point (apogee).
The supermoon “is not an official astronomical term, but it is generally used to describe a full moon that is at least 90% from perigee,” NASA explains.
Our natural satellite was at its perigee on Wednesday August 10, around 7 p.m. and will still be less than 360,000 km from the center of the Earth on Friday, the night when the Moon will be full.
The Perseids the same night
This phenomenon is also called the Super Sturgeon Moon, for a specific reason: for many Native American tribes who lived around the great American lakes, August was the month of sturgeon fishing, details the newspaper. Switzerland 20 Minutes.
This latest supermoon coincides with another astronomical event this year, the Perseids.
This shower of shooting stars will indeed peak on the night of August 11 to 12 and should be less visible with the super Moon.
The Perseids return every year between mid-July and mid-August.
At this time, the Earth passes through a swarm of dust left by comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun in 133 years.
