Rare Supermoon to Be Visible in Minnesota This Week
It only happens a few times a year, and you've still got a chance to see the rare supermoon in the sky over Minnesota this week.
Seeing as I head to work at around 4:20 when it's still dark each morning, I noticed this phenomenon earlier Wednesday morning: a massive supermoon over the southwest skies of southeast Minnesota. And, in case those showers and clouds blocked your view Tuesday night, don't worry-- this supermoon will still be visible for the next few nights.
Just what is a supermoon, you ask? Well, according to the Old Farmers Almanac (OFA), a 'supermoon' is a full moon whose orbit tracks closer to Earth than usual, making it appear larger and brighter-- 'super,' you might say.
And the supermoon we're experiencing right now is actually the biggest and brightest of four supermoons that are happening in 2022. (There were already previous supermoons in May and June, as well as another one set to happen in August.) That's because its orbit-- a full 222,089.3 miles (357,418 km) from Earth, mind you-- is just a wee bit closer than June’s supermoon. (If you call a 'wee bit' 200 kilometers, that is.)
The supermoon happening this week is also called a 'Full Buck Moon,' because this is the time of year the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full growth mode. And if you didn't get a chance to see it Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, the OFA says it'll still be visible through Friday morning.
Here in Rochester, OFA says the supermoon is set to rise Wednesday night at 10:15 pm in the southeast sky and will set at 6:17 am in the southwest sky. On Thursday night, the supermoon is set to rise at 10:49 pm in the southeast sky, and will set again at 6:40 am in the southwest sky.
If you're not sure where to look, click HERE for an exact guide specific to your location. And speaking of looking, have you seen all 38 new foods that will be at the Minnesota State Fair this year? Keep scrolling to see all the new menu items that are set to make their debut next month!
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