This weekend’s full moon coincided with its closest approach to Earth, a phenomenon known colloquially as a “supermoon.” (In astronomical circles, it’s called a perigee-syzygy moon.)
The supermoon is larger and brighter than an average moon, though the difference isn’t enormous. Many people, in any event, use it as an occasion to dwell on Earth’s only natural satellite. Sri Lankans also mark the supermoon by celebrating the introduction of Buddhism to the country, from India, in 250 BC.
The temple of Poseidon, ancient Greek god of the seas, in Cape Sounion, Greece. (Reuters / Yannis Behrakis)The Luna Park Swing Ride Coney Island in New York City. (Reuters / Carlo Allegri)An oil refinery in Norco, Louisiana. (AP / Gerald Herbert)An elevated skywalk at Supertrees Grove in Singapore. (Reuters / Tim Chong)The Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. (AP / J. David Ake)Fire rages at a palm oil plantation in Indonesia’s Riau province. (Reuters / Beawiharta)Buddhists offers prayers for Poson full moon day in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. (AP / Eranga Jayawardena)Table Rock near Boise, Idaho. (AP / The Idaho Statesman, Kyle Green)The nearly completed One World Trade Center in New York City. (AP / Julio Cortez)Fishing camps in Akers, Louisiana. (AP / Gerald Herbert)Roadside plants in Prattville, Alabama. (AP / Dave Martin)Sculpture of the Colonnade overlooking St. Peter’s Square in Rome. (Getty Images / Franco Origlia)The Manhattan skyline as seen from Weekhawken, New Jersey. (Reuters / Gary Hershorn)Fishing near Teaorereke on South Tarawa in the central Pacific island nation of Kiribati. (Reuters / David Gray)
