When I looked out at the night sky last night I was treated to a beautiful view of the moon. As it turns out we are in what’s called “perigee-syzygy”—when the earth and moon are in nearest proximity and the moon is full.
Perigee-syzygy. I like the phrase. An astrologer apparently called it a “supermoon” and the media have picked up on that. They say that this is the closest perigee-syzygy we’ve had since 1948 so my impression that I couldn’t remember a more beautiful moon may well be right.
Some are blaming the earthquake in New Zealand on the perigee-syzygy. The orthodox scientific belief is that the moon at perigee-syzygy has little more measurable effect on the tides, earth, or animal behavior than an ordinary full moon does. However, I haven’t been able to locate a scientific study of that.
The universe isn’t linear. Sometimes very small differences can have outsize results.
At any rate tonight is supposed to be the peak viewing time. Enjoy.
