Like the Supermoon? Time for the Annual “Supersun”The full moon is at its closest to Earth, called p

Like the Supermoon? Time for the Annual “Supersun”The full moon is at its closest to Earth, called perigee, four to six times per year; something that has become popularly known as a “supermoon”. The supermoon appears 13% larger than it does when the moon is furthest away (apogee). Okay, “supersun” isn’t actually a word, but January 4 at 6:36 UTC (about 4.5 hours from the time this post appears), the Earth will be at its closest point to the sun this year, called #perihelion.The Earth’s Orbit around the sun is elliptical, causing the distance between the Earth and sun to vary throughout the year. They reach their closest point in early January, although the exact time varies slightly each year depending on gravitational interactions between the Earth, Moon, and even the giant planet Jupiter. At perihelion, the Earth is about 5 million kilometers (3 million miles) closer to the sun than it will be in July when they are farthest apart (called aphelion). While that may seem like a lot, it’s only a difference of about 3.4%.It is very difficult to actually see the difference between the size of the sun today versus any other day (but if you are going to try, remember to wear proper eye protection – never look at the sun without protection!). Due to this change in distance the sun appears 3.4% larger than it does in July: too little to notice without something to compare to. That 3.4% difference does have a slight influence on temperatures in the northern hemisphere; it would be a couple degrees Celsius colder if the sun was at aphelion. The impact on the southern hemisphere is negligible because it is dominated by oceans, and water is fantastic at absorbing heat.After 6:36 UTC, we will start to move away from the sun again. We won’t be this close again until January 2nd or 3rd (depending on what time zone you are in) in 2016.- REPhoto Credit: Marsel Mingahttp://www.flickr.com/photos/mars_/9966719103Learn more about the supermoon from our previous posts:http://on.fb.me/146HZpWhttp://on.fb.me/1rQeweARead More: http://earthsky.org/tonight/earth-comes-closest-to-sun-every-year-in-early-januaryhttp://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2015/01/03/perihelion_2015_the_earth_is_closest_to_the_sun_tonight.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/legacy/23degrees/2011/12/day_365.htmlhttp://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/01/02/perihelion_earth_is_closest_to_the_sun_today.html -- source link

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