There will be several super moons to see in 2020

We often hear the term “super moon” and wonder if that is really a true astronomical term.

The moon comes to two important positions every calendar month. These are perigee and apogee. They refer to the closest position that the moon gets to Earth in a calendar month and the farthest position in which the moon is located.

The moon at its closest (perigee) can come within 221,524 miles of our planet and be as far away (apogee) as 252,088 miles.

That difference of some 30,000 miles makes a big difference to what we see in our skies.

The term, super moon is really not a true astronomical term, as the source of this name seems to come from an astrologer named, Richard Nolle, who coined the term in a 1979 article in Horoscope magazine.

He went on to say that a super moon is one which occurs at or near, within 90% of its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit.

That interpretation further says that a super moon occurs when the moon is closer than 224,865 miles of Earth.

This is not a true astronomical definition, but rather one from the world of astrology.

The visual difference in these types of special moon’s is quite dramatic, as the so called super moon will appear some 14% larger and 30% brighter than a nonperigee, or apogee full moon.

There can also be new moons which are dark super moons too!

Here is how they appear in our sky, under different situations.

Here is a good example of the moon rising, when closest to Earth.

Here are the dates of the super moon in 2020 and the dates of the super dark moon as well:

Super moon – full

• March 9 – full worm super moon
• April 7- full pink super moon
• May 7- full flower super moon

Super moon – dark (new moon)

• Sept. 17- new moon super moon
• Oct. 16- new moon super moon
• Nov. 15 – new moon super moon

Sorry, but you cannot see this type of moon, only at a solar eclipse!

The last full moon, Feb. 8, was listed as a super moon too.

Check here for the rising at setting of the moon in Arizona.

Locate many other great objects in the night sky, with this great gallery.

To print your own monthly star chart, click here.

To view satellites/dates/times of passage, click here.

Listen to the Dr. Sky Show on KTAR News 92.3 FM every Saturday at 3 a.m.