By Dr. S.A. Mohan Krishna, Observational Astronomer
On May 7, Indians will have an opportunity to witness the spectacular, resplendent, and last Supermoon of this year. This is known as lunar perigee and a normal lunar perigee averaging a distance of 362,479 kilometers happens once every orbital period. This event can be referred as “Supermoon.” The term “Supermoon” was coined by the astrologer Richard Nolle. He generally describes Supermoon as perigee-syzygy; that is a new or Full Moon (syzygy) which occurs with the Moon at or near (within 90%) its closest approach to Earth (perigee) in a given orbit. In short, Earth, Moon and Sun are all in a line, with Moon in its nearest approach to Earth.
