Another 'Super Moon' is on the way

Seems we have another so-called "Super Moon" coming up. The question now comes, is that important or not.

Personally, I lean toward the idea that it is not ... important that is.

First off, what exactly is a "Super Moon?"

The term "Super Moon" does not have an astronomical background. It was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle more than 30 years ago and has only recently come into prominence. Before that the term was totally unknown to astronomers.

OK, so just what, exactly, is a "Super Moon?"

According to Nolle's definition a "Super Moon" occurs when a "new or full moon which occurs with the moon at or near (withing 90 percent) its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit."

That is a rather generous definition and using that criteria there will be five "Super Moons" in the year 2014. Two have already happened, both in January.

The next three will be in July, August, and September.

In fact, any given year has the possibility of four to six "Super Moons" happening during the year.

Now, is there anything specifically that important about a "Super Moon?" In a word, no.

Just looking at a "Super Moon" it will be difficult to even see that it is any larger than a regular full moon. There is perhaps only 14 percent difference in visible size.

However, there will be a slight difference in the ocean tides when the moon is a little closer than normal. The high tides during a full or new moon are called "Spring tides" and do tend to be a little higher and with the moon being a little closer it could cause the tides to be a little higher.

So, unless you are a surfer, I wouldn't worry about it. As my friends in California and Hawaii say, "Surf's up, dude.'

Just for your information, and in case you are keeping track, the moon will be full on Saturday, July 12, at 5:25 am MDT and will be at its closest orbital point at 2:30 am MDT, hence qualifying as a "Super Moon."

OK, so what else is going on?

In the early evening sky -- an hour to an hour-and-a-half after local sunset look for Mars in the southwest sky. The planet, a reddish dot, can be readily seen and will be even more red in binoculars. Just to its lower left is another bright spot, the star Spica.

The pair will be much closer on the evening of July 13, and will make a nice binocular sight. Look above the star/planet pair, about one and a half binocular field distances for another pair of objects, two asteroids.

The asteroids Ceres and Vesta will be very close together with smaller Vesta to the right. They are at sixth and seventh magnitude and appear against a starry background of similarly bright stars. They will move westward against the starry background each evening.

For the early birds we have another nice planetary pair, Mercury and Venus in the east-southeast morning sky about a half-hour before sunrise. That means the sky will be kind of washed out, so binoculars will be needed.

SKYWATCH: Full moon, Saturday, July 12. The morning of Sunday, July 13, will have the planet Venus in the same binocular and small telescope view as M1, the Crab Nebula. Worth a look.

NEXT WEEK: More astronomical blathering.