Observing A Full "Super Moon"

Within the realms of our own solar system there are so many different objects to observe. Planets, comets, asteroids, meteors and moons of other planets.. However when it comes to earth's moon, we tend to forget that it is up there, large as life staring us right in the face! It is there for us ground observers, not only to admire when a full-moon is rising, during any given month. But also there to study closer with the aid of even a small pair of binoculars. This past Saturday, March 19th, I had the pleasure of observing not only the Full-Moon; but what is called a "Super Moon."

The Super Moon is not just any moon. Yes, its true that it is like a Full Moon, which occurs once a month. So you may be asking yourself..."What's so special about this super moon"? What makes the super moon special is for one-the last time that there was a super moon, it occurred approximately eighteen years ago, or nearly two decades. So in essence the super moon of March 19th is a rare astronomical event indeed. A super moon does not only appear to be much closer to the earth, it also appears to be much brighter. This is no figment of the imagination, and in reality the full moon of March 19th 2011 was only 221,567 miles from the earth. The moon being earths closest neighbor usually averages an orbital distance of between 225,000 and 238,000 miles. That is why this particular full or super moon will appear larger and brighter.

The super moon even though a rare occurrence and something which happens astronomically speaking, every two decades or so. Literally speaking has nothing to do with terrible disaster's happening world wide. When I make note of natural hazards, or worldwide disasters, I am referring to the recent events in Japan or the current conditions that are taking foothold in Libya for example. No, the rare appearance of this moon, has nothing to do with any of these aforementioned events taking place. The moon mainly has an influence only on planet earth's tides.

So right after sundown, as twilight subsides, the moon takes the stage for all ground observers here on earth to enjoy. One may think that the full moon, is really no different than any other moon. There it sits above the horizon, maybe midway up in the sky; beaming its light upon the ground and waters of the earth. This may be so, but taking a closer look at the moon, reveals much more that is concealed from the naked eye. Darker patches or areas that can be seen on the face of the moon, are actually called the moon's Mares or seas. These mares or seas that you can see with the naked eye. Are old lava deposits from millions of years ago. These mares were also the landing sites of previous Apollo landing missions.

At 225,000 miles away, the mares that you see, do not appear too intriguing to say the least. But with a small telescope, the full moon's landscape comes to life. Besides the mares or seas that mark the lunar surface, many craters of various size and shapes also dot the landscape. Because of the general proximity in terms of distance that the moon is now from earth. Viewing the craters from earth, will actually look like one is hovering right over one of these depressions. Last night as I observed the "Super Moon" using a larger telescope; it actually felt that I was looking at the lunar landscape from a space ship. It was awe inspiring indeed, as the telescope revealed near the moon's north pole rim, craters that gradually rose a few inches above the surface. It felt like being right there on the surface of the moon.

The countless craters that you see on the moons surface had mainly been caused; by prior impacts from small meteors or asteroids which had impacted the surface millions of years ago. And because the moon has no significant atmosphere like our earth. This makes the moons surface vulnerable to meteorite or even smaller asteroid impacts. Hence this is why there are so many different craters on its surface, displaying the different size and shapes as mentioned. Two of the more popular craters that a small telescope will be able to reveal are Tycho and Copernicus. Tycho is a beautiful, deep impact crater, located near the bottom, or south pole region of the moon. When you view this crater, you will see long streaks or lighter rays that extend from the crater itself. These streaks running outward across the lunar surface, were caused by moon soil being dispersed from the crater, as a meteor made contact with the moon's surface.

Copernicus is also another beautiful lunar landmark, to observe on the surface of the moon. Though not quite as prominent as Tycho, it still manages to pop out on the surface, giving viewers from earth a nice view. Copernicus lies about midway to three-quarters distant from the moon's south pole and is found closer to the north lunar pole. The moon also has a canyon on its surface, that is not only similar in size, but nearly as big as the Grand Canyon here on earth. Also many mountain ranges can be found on the moons surface. Some of these mountain ranges reach heights of nearly four miles. That for example is higher than mountains such as Mount McKinley or Kilimanjaro found on earth. Unfortunately amateur telescopes will not be able to discern or give definition to these canyons or mountain ranges of the moon.

Also one other interesting fact to make mention here, is that earth's satellite the moon, is not the largest satellite in the solar system. The planets of Saturn and Jupiter also have four moons between the two of them, that have satellites larger than our own moon. Those four moons are...Titan, Callisto, Ganymede and Io. So that makes our moon the fifth largest natural satellite in the solar system. So as you can see by some of the facts mentioned here about , earths satellite. It is not just another rock circling earth in an egg-shaped or elliptical orbit. It can though, be considered another natural landscape that we can enjoy throughout many clear, dark and still nights. And do so whether observing A Full Moon during mid-month, or that of the surface of the "Super Moon", that we can witness every few decades or so.