Post date: Mar 19, 2011 9:17:38 PM
Hundreds of sky gazers across India throng planetariums, seashore and open fields to have a glimpse of the Supermoon or Perigee, a natural phenomenon in which the moon comes very close to the earth and appears bigger and brighter than normal.
NEW DELHI, INDIA (MARCH 19, 2011) ANI - Hundreds of sky gazers across India on Saturday (March 19) throng planetariums, seashore and open fields to have a glimpse of the Supermoon or Perigee, a natural phenomenon in which the moon comes very close to the earth and appears bigger and brighter than normal.
Locals thronged the India Gate in national capital New Delhi to witness the spectacle that has occurred after 18 years.Families and friends often come to the monument at night to enjoy themselves and they said such a phenomenon just added to the beauty of the night.
"We have come to India Gate to see the moon because it can be seen clearly here. I feel like going and sitting on the moon. We have never seen the moon so beautiful and it is so close to the earth and it seems so close that I feel like touching it and settle down on the moon," said Seema, a resident.
Indian scientists had said the phenomenon would not have devastating effects as it is being talked about in the media recently.
The appearance of the moon larger and closer to the earth has had people talking about natural calamities such as earthquakes and tsunami that may be triggered during this period.
In Mumbai city of India's western Maharashtra state, a huge crowd gathered at the Shivaji Park near the seashore to admire the beauty of the moon due to its closeness to the earth.
"We read it in the newspaper today that the moon would come very close to the earth and there would be minimum distance between the two. Scientists say there is no specific date as to when it would occur again. And I don't know where I will be then, so, I wanted to make it a memorable moment for myself and have come here at the sea shore. I wanted to see what the effect is on the sea due to this phenomenon. I observed that there is high tide and we can see huge waves. It is a spectacular view and I'm having fun watching it," said Uttam Shirole, a local.
Many enjoyed watching the moon and the waves that reached the seashore due to high tides.
In Bangalore city of India's southern Karnataka state, locals went to the planetarium to watch the moon.
Family members were seen looking at the moon using a telescope and said the craters of the moon could be seen very clearly through the instrument.
"Yes, we have been waiting for this day from the time we got to know. So, the kids were very curious about it. It's always nice to have hands on experience you know rather just seeing it on pictures or on TV (Television). So, we just thought we'll come down here to the planetarium and it is nice you know. It was a beautiful experience and since we have been tracking you know the movement of the moon, we have been like you know drafting it on a paper. So, the kids were really able to see the difference. Normally, I think for a person who has not really been into it, it's difficult to you know find out the difference. But, today definitely like we've been watching it so we know the difference. It's definitely brighter and seems a little bigger, that's it," said Afsha, a housewife, who brought her children to see the moon.
A similar crowd was also seen in Hyderabad city of India's southern Andhra Pradesh state, where people said such an occurrence was once in a lifetime experience.
"No, actually the scientists are saying like that those are all speculations only. It's not going to happen anything like that because it's only natural thing. It's nothing, nothing going to happen as destruction or anything. And the people are saying that earthquake and all this tsunami is happening due to that Supermoon. No, but it's a natural thing," said Sachin, a resident.
Many astrologers link the Japan earthquake and subsequent Tsunami to the closeness of the moon to the earth.
The phenomenon is also known as Lunar Perigee and is also called Supermoon as it is occurring on a full moon day.
The phenomenon is occurring after 18 years and brings the moon in its elliptical orbit.