The Big Picture: Moon Over My Alma Mater

Alma Mater with a supermoon, also known as a perigean full moon. (Image by Fred Zwicky)

Alma, Labor and Learning positively glow in the light of a July supermoon. This celestial phenomenon occurs when the Moon’s orbit is at its closest point to Earth—226,000 miles—making it appear larger and brighter than usual. Legend holds that the phenomenon leads to enlightenment and spiritual growth. Astronomer Richard Noelle coined “supermoon” in 1979 as a catchier term than the event’s scientific name: perigee-syzygy.