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'Supermoon' has astrological origins, coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 but not taken up by the popular press until the 'supermoon' total lunar eclipse of 2011. It has no strict astronomical definition, various cut-offs as to closeness being applied randomly. I certainly can't tell the difference (ie if shown a full moon in the sky I couldn't tell you if it's apogee or perigee or anywhere in between). And why don't perigee New Moons get a guernsey?
People seem to be happy though, viewing the moon illusion as the 'supermoon' rises above the horizon and then banging on about how HUGE it was!
Supermoons are common events, surely we'll get bored with it soon and drop the "Super"?
Cheers -
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