The second supermoon for 2015 will be making an appearance Wednesday, a full moon that is a new moon at the same time traveling its closest to Earth. As the new moon will also be the third out of four for the current season, it is also being referred to as a seasonal black moon.
Supermoons are also referred to as perigee new moons and at the time will be looking 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the usual full moon. The moon normally travels thousands of miles away from the planet but the spherical shape of its orbit puts it at varying distances from Earth. At its closest, the moon will just be 12,000 miles away from Earth but a supermoon needs only to travel 224,834 miles from Earth to be defined as such.
As a black supermoon, will the moon be actually colored black?
No. A black moon is simply a version of a blue moon and has nothing to do with its color changing.
To view the black supermoon, a flat and clear horizon is needed free from obstructions. With binoculars, skywatchers can train their sight to the viewing area around 45 minutes before sunrise or the same period of time after sunset. The moon will be difficult to see because not only will it be razor-thin but it will also be set against a low-contrast backdrop. Viewing the black supermoon will also become particularly challenging once it slips within 20 hours of being a new moon.
The moon affects tides on Earth but the effect will be a little bit more severe when a supermoon is out. Called perigean spring tides, they will not rise a lot more than traditional tides but the slightly bigger influence by the supermoon may cause some flooding in coastal areas, most especially when strong weather systems are present. Those living near bodies of water are advised to be vigilant when the black supermoon comes out to ensure their safety.
The year 2015 will see six supermoons. These will be the new moons for January, February and March and then the full moons for August, September and October when full moons. The term "supermoon" was coined by Richard Nolle more than 30 years ago. It was popularized and became the accepted, more dramatic term for perigee moons. On average, a year usually sees 4 to 6 supermoons.
The first supermoon of the year was in Jan. 20. After the Feb. 18 appearance, the next one will be on Mar. 20, Aug. 29, Sept. 28 and Oct. 27.
