Mar 20, 2011
Supersized moon
-- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Yesterday's full moon was not its usual size.
The 'super moon' is the biggest seen in 20 years. This is because the moon was actually 50,000km closer to Earth yesterday, rather than being on the farthest point of its elliptical orbit.
The last time it was sighted was in March 1993.
It is much rarer than the blue moon, which happens once every 21/2 years.
Despite its perceived size, the moon is still about 357,000km away from Earth.
The next time such a super moon can be sighted will be in 2029.
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