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Hechi receives double dose of 'super moon'

By (chinadaily.com.cn)
2016-11-17

Hechi receives double dose of 'super moon'
The super moon in Hechi [Photo by Gao Dongfeng / hcwang.cn]

Hechi receives double dose of 'super moon'

The super moon is doubled in Hechi. The phenomenon is caused by the refraction of light after rainfall. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng / hcwang.cn]

While most astronomy enthusiasts gazed at the super moon on Nov 14, those in Hechi got an extra treat with the appearance of a double super moon.

The super moon appeared up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter as it passed through the night sky the closest to the earth it has been since 1948. This event happens when the moon is full at the same time as, or very near, perigee – its closest point to Earth on its elliptical, monthly orbit.

But in Hechi, for 10 minutes there appeared two moons in the night sky. This is caused by the refraction of light after several days of rainfall in the city.

 

Hechi is located in the northwestern part of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and the southern foothills of the Yungui Plateau.