Supermoon becomes visible today

MANILA, Philippines - Astronomers yesterday said there is no cause for worry over the so-called supermoon expected to appear over the Philippines at 3 a.m today.

Full moons vary in size because of the oval shape of its orbit, with one end closer to Earth. The moon was expected to be 221,565 miles away - the closest to Earth since March 1993.

This type of full moon tends to bring a range of high and low tides. There is also superstition that supermoons cause natural disasters.

Experts said there is no truth to this. “Nothing exciting is going to happen,” said Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory in Washington D.C.

Astronomers from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration also dispelled speculations that the lunar perigee would cause destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity.

“The correlation between these disasters and the moon is minimal. It is almost just like one percent,” said astronomer Jose Mendoza IV. “It would only affect tide level by a few centimeters and would not cause flooding.”

Chester believes the astronomical phenomenon will give people an opportunity to take time out for the moon.

“Most people are completely oblivious to its presence,” he said. - AP, Evelyn Macairan