Super Blood Moon, May 26, 2021 : Science and Myths Behind
Super Blood Moon 2021 Myths & Science Behind Super Blood Moon 2021 : Myths & Science Behind Data visualization of the May 26, 2021 supermoon eclipse or ‘super blood moon’. Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio This month brings the “most super” of the year’s supermoons, and on top of that, a total lunar eclipse. In other words, on May 26, 2021, the full moon will enter Earth’s shadow — and, when the Moon is not in our planet’s shade, it will appear even bigger and brighter than usual. What is a supermoon? The Moon travels around our planet in an elliptical orbit, or an elongated circle. Each month, the Moon passes through perigee (the point closest to Earth) and apogee (the point farthest from Earth). When the Moon is at or near its closest point to Earth at the same time as it is full, it is called a “ supermoon .” During this event, because the full moon is a little bit closer to us than usual, it appears especially large and bright in