Magha Purnima: First Supermoon Of 2020 To Appear By This Weekend, Here're Details

As the moon is nearing the closest point to Earth in its orbit, the first supermoon of year 2020 will be visible by this weekend. However, experts are yet not sure whether it will be a supermoon or not. Supermoons occur when the Moon reaches the closest point to earth i.e. at perigee. Generally, supermoons also cause stronger ocean tides and weather events.

Moreover, when the supermoon appears in the month of February, it is known as Snow Moon, Storm Moon, while in India, it gets the name ‘Magha Purnima’.

Across the regions of North America and Europe, full moons have been used to track months and seasons for thousands of years and each full moon is named on the basis of seasonal changes it indicates.

Supermoons occur when the Moon reaches the closest point to earth i.e. at perigee. Generally, supermoons also cause stronger ocean tides and weather events.

Also Read: Saturn's Moon May Help Decode Climate Change On Earth: Study

On the other hand, when Moon reaches the farthest point i.e. at apogee, Micromoons appear. Micromoons which are apparently dimmer than supermoons appear about 14 percent smaller than latter.

The combination of the Moon's closest approach to Earth and the Moon reaching its moment of greatest illumination together makes the Moon brighter and larger than the usual.

Also Read: Indian-American Among NASA's New Astronauts, All Set To Conquer Moon, Mars

Enthusiasts are advised to use Binoculars or a small telescope to have the best ever experience of the natural phenomenon.

Meanwhile, if you are planning to capture the event, you can use your android device but should make sure that you do not zoom the picture and use a tripod to get it clicked.