Many stargazers and most scientists can tell you that "supermoons" don't exist. They'll say that the internet made them up. After all, a full Moon is just like every other full Moon. They're almost similar monthly phenomena that shouldn't be considered one-off like the Pink Moon this month. As a result, we should disregard "supermoons" and stop being so ridiculous.
VIENNA, AUSTRIA - APRIL 07: Supermoon appears in the distance behind a silhouette of a statue on top of the Burgtheater on April 07, 2020, in Vienna, Austria. A supermoon occurs when the moon reaches its closest position to the Earth, known as the perigee, making the satellite appear bigger and brighter than usual. This month’s supermoon is also a Pink Moon, so-called by the Native Americans because of the pink flowers that appeared in the east of North America at this time of year.
What is a Super Moon in the First Place?
A "supermoon" occurs when our Moon is in its "absolute" phase and passes closest to the Earth in its elliptical orbit. As a result, it appears larger and lighter than normal.
The Full Moon in May will be the biggest and best "supermoon" of 2021. Still, Astro Pixels said that the next Full Moon on April 26, 2021, may also be considered a "supermoon" since it happens within 90% of its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit. It will appear to be around 6% larger and up to 30% brighter than the "average" full Moon.
The new Moon in May is also a "Blood Moon," which is a slang word for a total lunar eclipse. When the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, our satellite drifts into the shadow of our planet in space.
Complete lunar eclipses have been dubbed "Blood Moons" in this century, while perigee syzygy full Moons have been dubbed "supermoons." The first has religious origins, while the second was invented by an astrologer.
ALSO READ: Pink Moon 2021: Will it Appear This Month? Here's How to Watch It
Why Do We Have Different Names of Full Moons in the First Place?
According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, the names of the monthly full moons can be traced back to Native American, Colonial American, and European origins, and each name was generally added to the lunar month in which it occurred.
April's Pink Moon is named after the pink flower Phlox subulata, also known as moss pink or moss phlox, which blooms in the spring in North America.
However, Newsweek said whoever wishes to see the moon literally changing color would be disappointed. Despite its name, April's Pink Moon's color won't look out of the ordinary.
Other names for the April full moon, according to TimeandDate.com, include Sprouting Grass Moon, Fish Moon, Hare Moon, and Egg Moon. It is also known as the Paschal Moon because it is used to determine the date for Easter.
"The first Sunday after the Paschal Moon is Easter Sunday. The ancient Hare Moon and Egg Moon names are often referenced as potential reasons for the emergence of the modern Easter Bunny laying Easter eggs," the website explained.
Yes, indeed. The internet has made it much easier to communicate astronomical phenomena, but with simplistic language that has its origins in astrology (per Astro Pro) and Christian prophecy (per The Conversation) in these situations.
Where Did These Full Moon Nicknames Come From?
It's no surprise that scientists despise them, nor does it matter where they came from? That isn't the case. Scientific ideas and complex celestial phenomena should always be translated into plain English. The future of science relies on it-and if scientists may not do so, others would.
Although HuffPost said it should be anti-supermoon, Groupthink told Wired how astronomy should be/should have been called won't go anywhere. "Supermoon" and "Blood Moon" are now famous search words on the internet. Google has made a decision.
The "Super Flower Blood Moon Eclipse" on May 26, 2021, is a little more complex in terms of observations.
Seeing the full Moon rising is similar, but seeing the "Blood Moon" part of the phenomenon necessitates the following:
- being in the correct geographic location; and
- returning later in the night when the full moon is high in the sky.
Only those in North America, South America, and Asia-Pacific will be able to see it. It will be visible in the western night sky early in the morning across the western United States (here's an interactive Google Map).
RELATED ARTICLE: Astronomy 2021: Your Guide to The Full Moons, Eclipses and Meteor Showers This Year!
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