Supermoon
A Full Moon close to perigee that appears larger and brighter than usual. The largest Full Moon of 2027 is in the sky on 22 January.
What is a supermoon?
A supermoon is a Full Moon that stands close to the Moon’s closest point to the Earth, perigee. Because the Moon is nearer than usual, its disc appears larger and brighter. Between the nearest and the most distant Full Moon of a year the Moon looks about 14 per cent larger and about 30 per cent brighter.
The term was coined in 1979 by the American astrologer Richard Nolle. There is no fixed astronomical limit, and different lists count different numbers of supermoons in a year. Dyyna calls the nearest Full Moon of the year the supermoon. In 2027 that is the Full Moon on 22 January at 357,644 km.
Its counterpart is the micromoon, a Full Moon close to the furthest point, apogee. In 2027 it is in the sky on 18 July at 405,973 km.
The supermoon in the biodynamic calendar
In the calendar the supermoon is an event in the sky. For sowing and planting what counts is perigee, which Dyyna records as unfavourable for twelve hours before and after. If the Full Moon falls in this window, it is blocked along with it. On 22 January 2027 the Full Moon falls a good 14 hours after perigee and so just outside it.
How the Moon’s phase itself is used in the garden is explained under Moon phases in the garden.
Full Moons 2027 with distance
| Date | Full Moon | Distance | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jan | 13:17 | 357,644 km | largest Full Moon of the year |
| 21 Feb | 0:23 | 363,306 km | |
| 22 Mar | 11:43 | 372,525 km | |
| 21 Apr | 0:27 | 383,426 km | |
| 20 May | 12:59 | 393,902 km | |
| 19 Jun | 2:44 | 401,951 km | |
| 18 Jul | 17:45 | 405,973 km | smallest Full Moon of the year |
| 17 Aug | 9:29 | 405,078 km | |
| 16 Sep | 1:03 | 399,355 km | |
| 15 Oct | 15:47 | 389,936 km | |
| 14 Nov | 4:26 | 378,760 km | |
| 13 Dec | 17:08 | 368,138 km |
Times for Central Europe (CET, CEST in summer). Distance from centre to centre at the moment of Full Moon.
Sources
Frequently asked questions about the supermoon
When is the next supermoon?
The largest Full Moon of 2027 is in the sky on 22 January at 13:17, 357,644 km from the Earth.
How much larger is a supermoon?
Compared with the smallest Full Moon of the year it looks about 14 per cent larger and about 30 per cent brighter.
Is a supermoon unfavourable for sowing?
In the biodynamic calendar perigee is unfavourable, for twelve hours before and after. If the Full Moon falls in this window, that applies to it too.