Nothing to fear when moon gets closer to earth, say scientists

CHENNAI: A full moon comes once a month. But March 19 is the day of the fullest moon -- when the moon will make its closest approach to the earth in almost 20 years. Amidst fears that the tidal periodicity of the moon caused the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, scientists assure that it would be quite safe to enjoy a moonlit walk that evening. "Unless the supermoon were a supernatural phenomenon it wouldn't cause upheavals to be afraid of," they say.

Scientists at the Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre say that they have been receiving several calls everyday asking whether the moon is responsible for wreaking havoc in the world. "We are constantly assuring them that the supermoon or any other type of moon is not responsible for the earthquake or the tsunami," said P Iyamperumal, executive director of the centre. "The moon is supposed to look larger even to the naked eye, but the common man will not be able to make out the difference unless he remembers how the last full moon looked," he adds.

The weatherman agrees. Y E A Raj, deputy director general of meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, says, "The supermoon has no effect on the weather. Only on tides. The sea could become a bit rough, that's about it."

Asked about the prophecies, professors at the department of ocean engineering in the Indian Institute of Technology - Madras laugh them off. Professor K Murali says, "The combination of a full moon occurring at the perigee can create a higher tidal level, but it will only be a few centimetres different from normal, and not astronomically high to prove such fears to be true."

So, if you are planning on watching out for the moon on Saturday, don't forget to keep pen and paper handy because all it is likely to do is, maybe, inspire you to write a poem.

source: TOI