On Tuesday, June 14, for the second time this year, our natural satellite will be the protagonist of one of the most beautiful shows that the universe offers, known as Super moon.
This phenomenon may be visible counting from 6:00 p.m. next Tuesday, leaving from the east (via the Cordillera) and hiding at about 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15 from the west (via the sea).
Ramsés Jerez, an astronomer at the University of Valparaíso and a Master’s in Astrophysics, commented that “it is the second Super Moon of the year. On this occasion, and since the moon’s orbit is elliptical, It will reach a position approximately 352 thousand kilometers away from Earth«
In addition, he specified that “a around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, the moon will reach its highest elevation tonightat which time it will be at that distance, being the shortest of its orbit with respect to the Earth (phase known as Perigee)».
«We will be able to see the moon in all its splendor, as long as the weather is with us and it is clear. It is ideal to accompany an evening under the moonlight, with a cheese board and a good Merlot”, commented the astronomer.
He also added that “this Super Moon is also known as Strawberry Moon, since it coincides with the end of the strawberry growing season in the Northern Hemisphere. The moon is very beautiful when it is observed at the moment of its rise and its concealment».
“By harnessing the capabilities of our planet’s atmosphere to refract light, it is possible to observe a very large moon, similar to observing an object inside a glass of water. There’s the magnifying effect, and it looks kind of yellowish,” she said.
Binoculars or telescopes
Ramses Jerez recommended that “we can observe the Super Moon directly with our eyes. No special instrument is required to observe it.
However, he noted that “those who want to use binoculars or telescopes should incorporate special filters to decrease the brightness of the moon through the instrument. Polarizing filters or area reducers are used for this purpose».
He also warned that “prolonged exposures to the light reflected from the moon in our eyes can cause temporary blindness and eye damage if this exposure is very long. The moon reflects light from the sun, so we are looking at this radiation indirectly.”
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