DONEGAL is being lit up tonight by a so-called Super Moon – 15% bigger than normal and a great deal brighter.
The super-moon is due to a combination of the moon’s elliptical orbit around Earth and the time at which it is at its closest point to us – occurring at the same time as the full moon cycle.
Typically the two occur a day or so apart, but this one is happening at the same time.
“It’s very unique,” says the American space agency Nasa, “Each of these motions is independent.”
This phenomenon gives the moon the appearance of being larger, but it isn’t actually closer to our planet. It’s kind of a psychological trick on the eye.
