november supermoon biggest in nearly 70 years 11/03/2016 




usa today 




supersized! november supermoon will be biggest in nearly 70 years. the supermoon occurs when the moon is slightly closer to earth than it typically is, and the effect is most noticeable when it occurs around the same time as a full moon. 




it can appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter than usual, according to nasa. 




the word supermoon was coined in 1979 by astrologer richard nolle, accuweather<u+2019>s mark paquette says. nolle used the term to describe a new or full moon that occurs when the moon is at or near its closest approach to earth. 




instead of a supermoon, astronomy site slooh.com is calling it a <u+201c>mega beaver moon,<u+201d> which includes the moon<u+2019>s folklore name for november. 




according to the old farmer<u+2019>s almanac , the november moon was named the beaver moon partly because, <u+201c>for both the colonists and the algonquin tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs.<u+201d> 




contributing: mary bowerman, usa today 




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november supermoon biggest in nearly 70 years
alex ansary