Skygazers took to high-rise buildings, observatories and beaches Monday to get a glimpse of the closest “supermoon” to Earth in almost seven decades and snap dramatic pictures.
The unusually big and bright moon appeared at its most impressive just as night fell over Asia, but astronomy enthusiasts will be able to see Earth’s satellite loom large anywhere in the world shortly after sunset, weather permitting.
The phenomenon happens when the moon is full at the same time as, or very near, perigee — its closest point to Earth on an elliptical, monthly orbit.
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It was the closest to Earth since 1948 at a distance of 356,509 kilometres (221,524 miles), creating what NASA described as “an extra-supermoon“.
Skygazers and photographers headed to the best viewing spots in Asia, where the phenomenon was visible first, hoping that cloudy skies and the perennial pollution that blights many of the region’s cities would not spoil the fun.
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PICTURES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE
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#supermoon2016 view frm my house pic.twitter.com/5ounAV5Fx9
— Zainab Naeem (@ZainabNaeem7) November 14, 2016
#Supermoon rises over #Karachi pic.twitter.com/WccuPTGDu7
— Pyar Ali Amir Ali (@pyarali7) November 14, 2016
It’s awesome! #Supermoon #supermoon2016 #SuperLuna pic.twitter.com/4b0IqiZGPx
— Danyal Gilani (@Danyal_Gilani) November 14, 2016
The #supermoon is seen rising behind the Soyuz rocket that will launch the next crew to the space station from Kazakhstan on Nov. 17. pic.twitter.com/Ox2IAuLO7u
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) November 14, 2016
Supermoon St. Louis from the Compton Hill Water Tower #supermoon #stl Vertical or horizontal? More pix coming at @stltoday & in print Monday pic.twitter.com/iKDPkp6Ztq
— David Carson (@PDPJ) November 13, 2016
About tonight’s #Supermoon #NASAsupermoon pic.twitter.com/YxCTefeS9C
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) November 14, 2016
