MANY Cebuano skywatchers preparing to witness the latest “supermoon” since January 26, 1948 instead faced the sky with heaves of disappointment Monday night as the full moon hid behind dark clouds in several parts of the province.
According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Mactan weather specialist, Romeo Aguirre, the dark clouds, isolated rain showers and thunderstorms could have obstructed the view for many in places like Cebu, Mandaue, Cordova, Consolacion, Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, Carcar, Sibonga, Moalboal, Alcantara, Ronda, Dumanjug, Barili and Aloguinsan.
However those in the eastern side of Cebu, like Lapu-Lapu City, were able to fully see the moon last night, Aguirre said.
The supermoon which was expected to show up in all its splendor between 7:21 p.m to 9:52 p.m.,, PST, Monday, was fully spotted in east Cebu once at around 7:30 p.m. and again at around nine in the evening, Aguirre said.
“If you were in east of Cebu then you could fully see it. The rains experienced were caused by localized (rains),” he added.
Instead of seeing an unusually large and bright full moon last night, many said on Facebook that they were only able to see a portion of the supermoon, a phenomenon which happens when the moon comes very close to the earth during its orbit resulting in the largest apparent size of the lunar disk as seen from the Earth.
When the moon is this close to Earth, distinctive lunar surface features such as impact craters can be seen with the naked eye, reports quoting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said.
The moon won’t come this close to Earth again until November 25, 2034.
Meanwhile, Pagasa Mactan chief Alfredo Quiblat explained that there were tidal changes due to the supermoon.
The tide was as high was 1.7 meters while, to observers, the moon appeared to be 13 percent brighter and 14 percent bigger than the normal full moon.
But for Cebu-based Indie film actor, Albert Chan Paran, the moon was brighter, Sunday than it was last night.
“I was looking for the moon before 7:21 p.m. but it only appeared very quick and hid in the foggy dark clouds. The supermoon was hiding in the dark clouds,” Paran told Cebu Daily News, from his house in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City.
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