Hey, astronomy enthusiasts and dreamers! Are you ready for this special Mid-Autumn Festival? This year's Mid-Autumn Festival is not ordinary! Because we not only have the traditional bright moon in the sky, but also a special guest - "Super Moon"! That's right, it's the moon that looks bigger and brighter than usual! Imagine looking up at the sky with your family and friends with a cup of hot tea, admiring this rare astronomical spectacle.
So, what is a "supermoon"? Why is this year's Mid-Autumn Festival so special? Let's uncover this mystery together!
First, we need to understand the Moon's orbit around the Earth. You might be wondering, isn't the moon just orbiting the earth? What's so special? In fact, the orbit of the Moon is not a perfect circle, but an ellipse. This means that the distance between the Moon and the Earth is sometimes far and near.
When the Moon orbits to the closest point to Earth, we call it "perigee". If it happens to be a full moon at this time, then we can see a moon that is bigger and brighter than usual, which is what we call a "supermoon". Doesn't it feel amazing?
This year's Mid-Autumn Festival coincides with the "Super Moon", which is a rare astronomical event! According to astronomical experts, this year's Mid-Autumn Moon is about 14% longer than the usual Full Moon, and the brightness will increase by about 30%. Imagine a full moon hanging in the night sky that is bigger and brighter than usual, and the scene must be breathtakingly beautiful!
If the Supermoon is so special, you may ask, how often does it appear? In fact, "supermoons" are not a particularly rare phenomenon. On average, it occurs 3 to 4 times a year. However, it is not often that the Mid-Autumn Festival coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival like this year. The last Mid-Autumn Festival "supermoon" was back in 2015! Therefore, this year's Mid-Autumn Festival is really a rare opportunity to watch the moon, don't miss it!
So, how can you enjoy the best "supermoons"? Here are a few tips for me to share:
Choose the right spot: Try to choose an open place, such as the top of a tall building, in the suburbs, or by the sea. This avoids buildings or other obstructions obstructing the view.
Know the best time to see it: this year's Supermoon will appear on the night of September 29. But, you know what? In fact, the moon looks bigger when it first rises! This is because when near the horizon, the Moon appears larger due to atmospheric refraction. Therefore, it is recommended that you start observing the moon when it has just risen.
Take advantage of the "moon illusion": When the moon is close to the horizon, we have the illusion that the moon is particularly large. This is because we can contrast the moon with objects such as buildings or trees on the horizon. So, if you want to take a stunning "supermoon" photo, look for some landmarks in the foreground when the moon is just rising.
Prepare the right equipment: If you want to capture this wonderful moment, it's a good idea to have a camera with a telephoto lens. Mobile phones, while convenient, may not be able to capture the details of the moon. Remember to use a tripod to keep your camera steady so you can take sharper photos.
Adjust the camera parameters: The moon is actually much brighter than we thought. It is recommended to lower the ISO and increase the shutter speed to avoid overexposure of the moon and capture more detail.
Be patient: Weather conditions are critical for observing a Supermoon. Don't be discouraged if the weather is bad that night! The effects of a "supermoon" usually last two to three days. Therefore, tonight and tomorrow are good times to observe.
Speaking of which, can't you wait to see the Supermoon in action? But wait! While we are immersed in this visual feast, we might as well learn about the science behind the "supermoon". In this way, we can not only enjoy the beautiful moonlight, but also increase our knowledge, wouldn't it kill two birds with one stone?
First of all, do you know why there is a "supermoon"? It starts with the elliptical orbit of the Moon. The Moon's orbit around the Earth is elliptical, which causes the distance between the Moon and the Earth to be constantly changing. When the Moon orbits to perigee (the closest point to Earth), if it happens to be a Full Moon, we can see a "supermoon".
So, how different is a Supermoon from a regular Full Moon? According to NASA, the Moon is about 356,000 kilometers away from Earth at the time of the Supermoon, about 21,000 kilometers closer than the average distance. This makes the "Supermoon" appear about 14% brighter than a normal Full Moon and about 30% brighter. Although it may be difficult to distinguish this difference with the naked eye, you can still feel the difference of the "Supermoon" by looking at it for a long time or taking pictures for comparison.
You may ask, will the "supermoon" have any effect on the Earth? In fact, the "supermoon" does have some minor effects on the Earth. For example, it will make the tides slightly stronger. However, this effect is usually small and barely felt in our daily lives. So, don't worry about the catastrophic consequences of the Supermoon!
Speaking of which, an interesting question suddenly occurred to me: why do we always only see one side of the moon? This is actually related to the rotation and revolution of the moon. The time it takes for the Moon to rotate around the Earth is exactly equal to the time it takes to complete one revolution around the Earth, a phenomenon we call "synchronous rotation". It is because of this special way of motion that we can always only see the same side of the moon. Isn't it amazing?
However, although we can only see one side of the moon, it does not mean that the far side of the moon is unknown. As early as 1959, the former Soviet Union's Luna 3 probe took the first pictures of the far side of the moon. In 2019, China's Chang'e-4 probe successfully landed on the far side of the moon and carried out a series of scientific exploration missions. These explorations have greatly improved our understanding of the Moon.
Speaking of lunar exploration, did you know? Our Chang'e-5 probe not only successfully landed on the moon, but also brought back lunar samples! The results of these samples provide valuable information for our understanding of the formation and evolution of the Moon. For example, through the analysis of lunar rocks, scientists have found that the moon may be about 200 million years younger than we previously thought. These discoveries continue to refresh our understanding of the Moon.
Going back to the "Supermoon", have you ever wondered why we are so obsessed with the moon? The moon has been an integral part of human culture since ancient times. In China, we have the myth and legend of Chang'e running to the moon; In the West, people associate the moon with romance and poetry. The moon not only stimulates the imagination of mankind, but also drives the development of science and technology. The first human landing on the moon in 1969 was undoubtedly an important milestone in human history.
Today, we can send astronauts to the moon, but the moon still retains its mysterious charm. When night falls, looking at the bright moon, we still can't help but feel awe and curiosity. Perhaps, it is this insatiable desire to explore that pushes mankind forward and challenges new heights.
So, while admiring the "supermoon", should we also think about the future of lunar exploration? In recent years, countries have been actively promoting lunar exploration programs. United States NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return to the moon and establish a permanent lunar base; China has also proposed the idea of a lunar research station at the South Pole. These programs will not only help us better understand the Moon, but may also lay the groundwork for future deep space exploration.
Imagine that maybe in the near future, we will be able to establish humanity's first extraterrestrial colony on the moon. At that point, the "Supermoon" may not just be a visual treat, but a goal within reach. We may celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival on the moon, tasting mooncakes while admiring the blue earth. Isn't this an exciting prospect?
So, as we look up at the Supermoon tonight, we might as well let our thoughts fly a little further. Think about how our ancestors looked up at the same moon, thought about the great progress that humanity has made on the path of exploring the universe, and imagined the grand blueprint for what we might achieve in the future. Wouldn't this kind of "moon viewing" be more meaningful?
Finally, let's get back to reality. Tonight, as you enjoy the moon with your family and friends, share what you just learned about the Supermoon. Talk about the latest progress in lunar exploration and imagine the future of mankind on the moon. I believe that such a Mid-Autumn Festival night will definitely make everyone remember.
Friends, get your camera ready, gather your friends and family, and come and enjoy this rare "supermoon" together! Let's witness this special Mid-Autumn Festival night and leave wonderful memories together. Perhaps years from now, when we look back to tonight's "Supermoon", we will find that it not only illuminates the night sky, but also illuminates our vision and expectation for the future.
Do you have any expectations for tonight's Supermoon? Feel free to share your observation plans and thoughts in the comment section. Let's spend an unforgettable Mid-Autumn Festival night together!