Skygazers treated to extra bright ‘supermoon’

MANILA, Philippines - Skygazers last night headed to high-rise buildings, ancient forts and beaches to witness a “supermoon” closest to Earth in almost seven decades, hoping for dramatic photos and spectacular surf.

A supermoon happens when the moon becomes full on the same day when it reaches perigee, the point when the moon is closest to the earth, according to the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

It was the closest perigee since Jan. 26, 1948. The moon won’t be seen this close to earth again until Nov. 26, 2034, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Filipinos across the country witnessed last night the supermoon. The #supermoon was the trending topic on Twitter in the Philippines as of 7 p.m. last night.

Netizens from Metro Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro City posted their photos of the supermoon on various social networking sites.

At 7:21 p.m. yesterday, the moon reached its closest point to the earth at a distance of 356,621.611 kilometers.

PAGASA said there would be another supermoon on Dec. 14, but it will not be as big and as bright as the one seen last night.

From India to Australia, skygazers and photographers were also seeking the best viewing spots in the region where the phenomenon was visible first, hoping that cloudy skies and the perennial pollution that blights many Asian cities would not spoil the fun.

Delhi residents were hoping toxic smog shrouding the world’s most polluted capital in recent weeks would abate to allow spectacular views as the supsersized moon rose over the Red Fort, the former Mughal emperor’s residence.

In downtown Hong Kong, picnics were organized for residents to watch the supermoon over the financial hub’s famous skyline, while hikers were heading to the greener, more distant corners of the Chinese city to enjoy views with less light pollution.

The landmark Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan, one of the world’s tallest buildings, also welcomed skygazers.

Supermoon causes disasters?

But in Thailand, astrologers were variously predicting the supermoon would bring disaster or great fortune.

Soraja Nuan-yoo, renowned for predicting the 2004 tsunami that killed many in Thailand and other countries around the Indian Ocean, warned that when the moon gets close to the Earth, “natural disasters happen.”

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) yesterday clarified that the supermoon will not cause the eruption of Mayon Volcano and Bulusan Volcano in Bicol.