Pink Super moon .. what is it?

Arabia's weather - the pink giant moon, the name may seem a bit strange, so how can the moon be pink in color, except that this name is related to the time of the moon’s appearance in April of every year, as the year 2021 will witness the appearance of the giant moon twice - tonight (26 and 26 April 27) and (May 26). In this article, we will learn about the giant moon, and why the April giant moon was called the pink moon!

Giant moon

The moon is called the super moon when the moon is a full moon and happens to be at the closest point to the earth in its orbit around it, which is called perigee, so the moon’s orbit around the earth is not circular but elliptical, where one of the sides is Closer to the Earth than the other, and the farthest point is called Apogee, and the full moon is then a small full moon (Micromoon).

As a result, the distance between the moon and the earth varies throughout the month and year, as the distance between the moon and the earth is on average about 382,900 km (238,000 miles), and in the giant moon the distance between the center of the moon and the center of the earth is within 362,146 km, and the pink giant moon tonight will be on A distance of 357,378 km.

The size of the angular gigantic moon is 12.5% ​​-14.1% larger than the small full moon, and 5.9% -6.9% larger than the average size of the full moon. Due to the moon's proximity to the Earth, the giant moon appears 30% brighter than the small full moon, and about 16% brighter than average.

It should be noted that the nearest giant moon was on November 14, 2016, after the closest giant moon was on January 26, 1948. The next time the giant moon approaches Earth to this degree is around November 25, 2034.

The pink giant moon

The giant moon that occurs in April is traditionally known as the pink super moon in many cultures, due to the pink flowers that bloom in the spring, known as phlox, and phlox is a wild flower native to North America, covering the earth like The blanket is bright pink, often in bloom around the time of the April full moon, so the name for the giant moon in April is associated with pink.

In ancient times, it was common to track changing seasons according to the lunar months rather than the solar year, and for thousands of years, people across Europe, as well as Native American tribes, named the months by the features that were associated with the seasons in the northern hemisphere.

The best time to view and photograph the giant moon

If the weather is clear, the best time to enjoy the giant moon, or any other moon, is right after moonrise, when the moon is near the horizon. And just before sunset is also a good time.

When the full moon is low, it appears larger and brighter than it would be higher in the sky. This is called an illusion of the moon, and it makes a difference to its shape more than the true boost you get from being a little closer to the Earth.

High tides during the period of the occurrence of the giant moon

Tides are caused by the moon's gravitational pull, and the biggest difference between tides occurs around the period of the full moon (full moon) and the new moon (nativity). During these lunar phases, the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun combine to pull ocean water in the same direction. These tides are known as spring tides.

The tides in the period of the giant moon give a difference of about 5 cm (2 in) greater than the regular spring tide, which is called the spring tide.

The tidal range is the smallest during the quarter moon, known as neaps or neap tide.

Is there a relationship between the giant moon and natural disasters?

Although the alignment of the sun and moon causes a slight increase in tectonic activity, the effects of the giant moon on Earth are slight. Several scientists have conducted studies, and have not found anything important that could link the giant moon to natural disasters.

According to NASA, the combination of the moon being at its closest point and full moon should not affect the Earth's internal energy balance because there are lunar tides every day.