Supermoon shine

Moon, the beautiful lunar mansion, has an oval orbital on which it traverses around the earth. As a result of this, its distance varies while it rotates around its axis and revolves around our planet.

Perigee is defined as the shortest distance between the centres of the moon and earth. It is stated to be about 2,25,740 miles (or 3,63,300 kms). An Apogee, on the other hand, is the farthest position being nearly 2,51,970 miles (or 4,05,500 kms).

The supermoon captured via the lens of an amateur photographer

The term Supermoon is believed to be coined by Richard Nolle, an astrologer from USA, sometime in 1970's. He went on to describe it as a new or full moon which is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth in a perigee. The Earth, Moon and Sun are in a line with Moon in its nearest approach to Earth.

Supermoon on 5-6th May, 2012 is lined up at 2,21,802 miles (or 3,56,955 kms). It appears to be 14 % bigger and 30 % brighter.

Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the full moon which falls in the Vaisakha lunar month (April-May). This festival on Lord Buddha's birthday is being celebrated today, the 6th of May in India by the devotees.

At lunar perigee the tidal force is stronger than at other times. It is also claimed that events like volcanoes and earthquakes are triggered when moon is closest to the earth.