Conspiracy theorists take fright at rare 'supermoon'

The Moon will be 220,625 miles away at 6:10pm, 625 miles closer than it was a month before on 18 February, and will appear to be about 14 per cent larger than usual.

A supermoon refers to a new or full moon that occurs when the Moon is 90 per cent or over its closest position to Earth.

It is the first time since 19 January, 1992, that the Moon has come into such close proximity to the Earth.

Robert Massey, deputy executive secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society, said: "The Moon will be unusually close and a little brighter, but the visual effects of it being closer to the Earth is unlikely to be noticed by the human eye. I would tell people to not expect a wow factor but it's nice to go and look."

Conspiracy theorists suggest a "supermoon" played a role in devastating natural disasters like the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. However, the idea is dismissed by leading scientists, including those at Nasa.

Mr Massey also rejected the theories. He said: "It is very irresponsible of people to suggest that there is a connection between the supermoon and the tsunami in Japan. At the time of the earthquake, the (Moon's] forces were at their weakest.

"Sadly life is not this simple. We shouldn't say it is so easy to predict these things and it is not based on sensible science."

Full moon myths:

• A full moon was believed to cause a woman to go into labour and give birth.

• Seeing a new moon for the first time on a Monday is said to bring good luck.

• According to folklore, surgeons would refuse to operate on the full moon due of an increased risk of blood loss.

• It is claimed the full moon influenced voters in the US 2000 presidential election.

• Police in Toledo, Ohio, said crime rose by 5 per cent on nights with a full moon.

• In 2008, New Zealand's justice minister Annette King suggested a spate of stabbings in the country could have been caused by the lunar cycle.