NASA Scientist Explains Science Behind 'Supermoon' Phenomenon SPACE.com Staff

A full moon is visible in this view above Earth's horizon and airglow, photographed by Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao on the International Space Station.
CREDIT: NASA View full size image

The tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan Friday (March 11) set the Internet abuzz with the idea that the moon, which will be at its fullest of the year on March 19, played a role in the devastating natural disaster.

The seed for the idea was planted by an astrologer, who contended that this large full moon – a so-called "supermoon"– would touch off natural disasters like the Japan earthquake since the moon would make its closest approach to Earth in 18 years. Scientists, however, dismissed the notion entirely and now a top NASA scientist is weighing in. [Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in Pictures]

In a statement released Friday, noted NASA scientist Jim Garvin explains the mechanics behind the moon's phases and the causes of the supermoon. Garvin is the chief scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

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"'Supermoon' is a situation when the moon is slightly closer to Earth in its orbit than on average, and this effect is most noticeable when it occurs at the same time as a full moon," Garvin wrote in the NASA statement. "So, the moon may seem bigger although the difference in its distance from Earth is only a few percent at such times." [Photos: Our Changing Moon]

The full moon of March will occur next Saturday on March 19, when the moon will be about 221,567 miles (356,577 kilometers) away from Earth. The average distance between the Earth and the moon is about 238.000 miles (382.900 km).

"It is called a supermoon because this is a very noticeable alignment that at first glance would seem to have an effect," Garvin explained. "The 'super' in supermoon is really just the appearance of being closer, but unless we were measuring the Earth-Moon distance by laser rangefinders (as we do to track the LRO [Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter] spacecraft in low lunar orbit and to watch the Earth-Moon distance over years), there is really no difference."

It was astrologer Richard Nolle who linked the full moon of March 19 to natural disasters. He claimed that this "supermoon" would trigger massive earthquakes, volcanoes and powerful storms when it arrived. But scientists assure that this is not the case. ['Supermoon' Did Not Cause Japan Earthquake and Tsunami]

Garvin, for example, said the moon's effects on Earth have been the subject of extensivestudies.

"The effects on Earth from a supermoon are minor, and according to the most detailed studies by terrestrial seismologists and volcanologists, the combination of the moon being at its closest to Earth in its orbit, and being in its 'full moon' configuration (relative to the Earth and sun), should not affect the internal energy balance of the Earth since there are lunar tides every day," Garvin wrote.

But while the moon helps drive Earth's tides, it is not capable of triggering devastating earthquakes.

"The Earth has stored a tremendous amount of internal energy within its thin outer shell or crust, and the small differences in the tidal forces exerted by the moon (and sun) are not enough to fundamentally overcome the much larger forces within the planet due to convection (and other aspects of the internal energy balance that drives plate tectonics)," Garvin explained.

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This story was provided by SPACE.com

Islam vs Christianity

Islam vs Christianity

Islam vs. Christianity - What are the major differences?

Many people wonder what the comparison is between Islam vs. Christianity. While there are a few similarities between Islam and Christianity, such as a belief in moral living and doing good to others, nevertheless, Muslims and Christians have vastly different views on major points of ideology and theology. First and foremost are the differing perceptions of Jesus, the Christ. Islam readily accepts that Jesus of Nazareth existed and that He was born of the virgin, Mary. Islam teaches that Jesus was merely another prophet, equal to and following in the line of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the final messenger, superior to all previous prophets, the ultimate. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God, which as the Jews accused of old, makes Him equal to God. He is accepted as the Second Person of the Trinity, God Himself come to earth in the flesh.

Islam vs. Christianity - What are the major differences?

Secondly, Islam refutes the idea that Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. They believe that God spared His messenger from such an ignominious death and later took Him up to Himself. For Christians, the death of Jesus Christ on the cross is the focal point of all that they believe. The only way for man to be reconciled to a Holy God is for the ultimate price to be paid. Christians believe that Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price by shedding His blood. Without that precious act, Christians remain hopeless and in sin. "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22).

The religion of Islam has the Qur'an as the source of truth. Muslims believe that the original New Testament, which they call Injil, was the original revelation that Jesus received from Allah. They believe, however, that the Christians of today have corrupted the original Scriptures; therefore the Bible that is read by Christendom today is unreliable. Muslims believe that the message of Muhammad continued the original truths that were outlined in the Injil, and additionally, have corrected the errors that Christians have added. Christians hold that the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments is the infallible Word of God. They believe that God inspired the Scriptures; it is their only source of truth and instruction. "For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21).

Finally, Muslims do not hold to any assurance of salvation. They do not feel that is was even necessary for Jesus to pay for our sins. The belief that they hold is that every man must bear and pay for his or her own sins; for Jesus to be punished and responsible for our sins would be unjust in their eyes. Christians believe that man had no ability to atone for his sins. Christians believe that we are hopelessly lost except for the immeasurable gift of God's grace, which is the only means of salvation. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).

Learn More about Christianity!

SALVATION ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

[AND HIS NAME IS CALLED THE WORD OF GOD (rev 19:13)]

The purpose of this website is to proclaim Jesus Christ the Son of God and Savior of the world. We present the plan of salvation and fundamental Christian beliefs in a clear and simple manner.We hold to a strictly literal and inerrant Bible interpretation, salvation through Christ alone, a soon pre-tribulation Rapture of all believers and the establishment of a thousand-year kingdom on earth.Everyone is born into this world a sinner, lost and separated from God because of Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden.God in His mercy provided a way of redemption. This redemption comes through His Son Jesus. Jesus took upon Himself the sins and guilt of the world and laid down His life on the cross as a substitute for us.

God accepted the blood of His Son as atonement for the sins of the world and raised Him three days later. Jesus ascended unto Heaven, where to this day He sits at the right hand of God.If we believe and accept Jesus as our personal Savior, salvation is ours. He will forgive us our sins and seal us with the Spirit of God. Our name will be written in the Lamb's Book of Life and our sins remembered no more. We will have eternal life with Him in Heaven.The only other option we have is to reject Jesus and die in our sins, unforgiven. Instead of eternity in Heaven, the alternative would be separation from God and eternity in hell. God has given us free wills. We all have to decide for ourselves what we will do with Jesus. We can either accept Him or reject Him.

My prayer is that you'll take the time to navigate this website and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior today. Forgiveness of sin and salvation is wonderful.It's the most important decision you'll ever make.

Yes He's Coming Soon!