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What makes it super? -

A supermoon occurs when the moon's orbit is closest to Earth, at the same time that the moon is full. This is what gives it a super full, bright appearance in the night's sky.

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Ellipse cycle -

The moon orbits the Earth in the shape of an ellipse: an oval that brings it closer towards and farther away from Earth as it goes around.

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Ellipse cycle -

The farthest point in the ellipse is called the apogee. The closest point in the ellipse is called the perigee. There's a difference of around 27,000 miles (about 43,450 km) between these two points.

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Perigee -

When the moon is at the perigee, it is 226,000 miles (363,300 km) from Earth. When the moon appears at the perigee, it's larger and brighter than a regular full moon. It's not a regular full moon, it's a supermoon!

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Orbit -

The term "supermoon" is used in popular culture to describe what astronomers call a perigean full moon. This is when a full moon occurs near or at the time when the moon is at the closest point in its orbit around the Earth.

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Orbit -

"The main reason why the orbit of the moon is not a perfect circle is that there are a lot of tidal, or gravitational, forces that are pulling on the moon," said NASA's Noah Petro, deputy scientist of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission, in a 2016 Space.com interview.

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Egg-shaped -

The moon’s orbit around the Earth is not a perfect circle, but actually an egg-shaped/oval orbit.

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Moon illusion -

A rising and setting supermoon on the horizon might appear even bigger than usual. Of course, the actual moon's size does not change. The placement of the moon in comparison to mountains, trees, and buildings on the horizon can sometimes make it appear larger.

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Moon illusion -

In contrast, there are no points of comparison in the middle of the night's sky, which may make it appear smaller when seen here.

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Extra bright -

The alignment of Sun-Earth-Moon and the perigean closeness of the orbit mean supermoons cast about 30% more light on the planet than when the moon is dimmer. This is because more of the sun's rays are reflecting off the lunar surface to reach Earth.

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Bigger appearance -

Due to its closeness, a supermoon can appear up to 14% bigger than a normal full moon, or a full moon at the apogee (farthest point).

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Historic supermoon -

On November 14, 2016, the Earth experienced a particularly spectacular supermoon. The orbit was the closest it had been since 1948. The next supermoon of that size won't occur until November 2034. The closest supermoon of the century will occur in December 2052.

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Frequency -

Not every full moon is a supermoon. There are usually three to four supermoons in a year. Between 2020 and 2025, there are four supermoons each year.

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Eclipse supermoon -

When a supermoon coincides with a lunar eclipse, it makes the moon look red. This kind of moon is known as a "super blood moon."

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Unofficial name -

The term “supermoon” was coined by an astrologer, Richard Nolle, in 1979. It’s become popular since the November 2016 supermoon. However, it’s actually not an official name.

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Tidal wave effect -

The biggest difference between high and low tides occur at the new moon and full moon. The gravitational pull of the tides combines to pull the water in the same direction. These are known as king tides at the new moon, and spring tides at the full moon.

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Tidal wave effect -

Supermoons cause a 5 cm (2 inch) larger variation in the tide, referred to as a perigean spring tide.

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Astrological significance -

Full moons in general are a time of culmination and release in astrological terms. Supermoons are believed, astrologically, to heighten these themes and emotions.

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Dreams -

Due to the moon’s influence, it's said, you may find your dreams are more vivid around the time of a supermoon.

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Amplified energy -

Although the energy of this full moon is intense, you can work with it to harness its power. The amplified energy makes it the perfect time for purification, rituals, and release.

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Purify -

Cleanse your physical space by clearing and cleaning. Release objects and items that you no longer use or need, clearing and making space for the new.

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Purify -

In the same way you purify your physical space, you can purify your energetic body. Take a bath or shower with the intention of clearing your energetic body, and release what you no longer need.

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Meditate -

You can meditate on the light cast by the full moon, imagining it cleansing your energetic body and releasing anything that’s weighing you down. Imagine yourself surrounded by healing moonlight, as it dissolves fear and other uncomfortable emotions.

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Cleanse -

Cleanse the energy of your home by burning incense or herbs that have cleansing properties. Setting the intention to release these energies from your home helps to let go of any stagnancy that’s built up over the course of the month.

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Moon water -

Work with the water element on the full moon. You can put a container of water outside or on a windowsill overnight. Let it bathe in the supermoon moonlight. Afterwards, you can drink your supercharged moon water or use it for rituals.

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Burning -

Connect with your emotions, particularly any emotions that you’d like to release. Write them down on a piece of paper by hand. Afterwards, you can burn the list in a safe way.

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Crystals -

Moonlight is a popular way to charge your crystals. Leave your crystals in a place where they will be exposed to the light of the moon overnight. This can be outside or on a windowsill. Set your intentions and allow the moonlight to work its magic.

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Try a sound bath -

If you’re struggling to switch off, why not try a sound bath? Sound is tied to the water element, which we also associate with the moon. There are lots of free videos online, and you can meditate on the sound if you find silent meditation too difficult.

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Embrace your unique astrology -

Find your birth chart online using an astrology calculator and discover which area of your life this moon is affecting you in. When you know the house the full moon will be occurring in your chart, you can uncover the themes this moon is inviting you to heal and release.

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Moon bathe -

Get outside and find a good place to bathe in the light of the moon. Reconnect with nature and admire its beauty on this celestial event.

Sources: (NASA Solar System Exploration) (National History Museum) (Space.com) (Moody Moons) (Original Botanica) 

See also: What your moon sign says about you

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