March 19, 2011, the moon will appear very large than usual. Because it is in the closest distance to Earth, only about 221,567 miles or 356,578 kilometers. And this happened within a period of 18 months terakhir.Fenomena approach to Earth is called 'lunar perigee'. But there is also an astrologer who called it 'supermoon'. Supermoon issue now surfaced in a number of leading international media. Moreover, the phenomenon is linked with the threat of disasters such as tidal waves, volcanic eruptions, and even earthquakes.
The conspiracy theorists even say, the tsunami in Aceh 2004 that claimed more than 200 thousand of lives occurred two weeks before supermoon 2005. Likewise with the disaster that swept cyclones Tracy Darwin, Australia in 1974.
So, is it true supermoon will bring disaster for the earth? Astronomers from the National Aeronautics and Space Institute (LAPAN), Thomas Djamaluddin, argued: "The news it unscientific horrendous, there are spice-marinade. Supermoon not mean disaster,".
He also added that the position of the moon approaches the earth, will only affect the tidal effect. Average maximum depending on the condition of the beach. The phenomenon of the lunar perigee is nothing special. "It's just a regular position. Orbit there celestial bodies at the closest distance (perigee) and furthest (apogee),".
However, Thomas also acknowledged phenomenon that will happen for another week was unusual. "Special, a close time coincidence with the full moon," said Thomas. Explained on March 19, the phenomenon of the lunar perigee which has a cycle of about 27.3 days coincided with the full moon that appears every 29 days.
During the lunar perigee and full moon occurs, the surface of the moon will appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than full moon.
Thomas's opinion in concert with other astronomers. Pete Wheeler of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy also disputed the notion that supermoon would lead to disaster. "There will be no earthquake or volcano eruption," he said as loaded News.com.au, Friday, March 4, 2011. "If indeed that happens, it is predestined."
He said, then the earth does go through pairs of higher and lower ebb than usual. "There's nothing to worry about," added Wheeler.
Meanwhile, experts and the planet earth from Adelaide University, Dr. Victor Gostin have a somewhat different opinion. He said this during weather prediction, earthquake, volcano eruption, and other natural disasters on the basis of planetary configurations has never fully accurate. However, according to him it is possible there is a correlation between large-scale earthquake near the equator and the moon. "Analogues such as tides, the movement of the Earth due to gravity moon can trigger an earthquake."
