Moon viewing is one of the traditional autumn events in Japan. Its exact origin is unknown, but moon viewing is a celebration of harvest for modern people. In Japan, people offer silver grass and rice dumpling to the moon. This year, moon viewing coincided with supermoon.
Supermoon, also known as a perigee full moon, is a unique celestial phenomenon. It is a full moon occurring when the moon passes through the nearest point to the earth in its elliptical orbit. As a result, the apparent size of a supermoon is 14 % larger than the one that passes through the farthest point. It is also 30 % brighter than the one that passes through the farthest point.
To enjoy the "supermoon viewing", I visited my parents, who live on the Keio-Inokashira Line. It was an evening rush hour. Outbound trains were crowded with commuters and students as usual. The Inokashira Line is a short commuter route connecting Shibuya and Kichijoji. Its line length is only 12.7 km. The track is 1,067 mm-size double. The electric system is 1,500 V DC overhead. Although the Inokashira Line is a short route, the express train is frequently operated for flying passengers. It connects with a local train at Eifukucho Station, which is located on the middle point of the line.
Following the beautiful cardinal sunset, the supermoon went up in the eastern sky. It was indeed big, bright and fantastically shining. Feeling the cool autumn breeze, we could enjoy the special supermoon viewing this year.
Supermoon, also known as a perigee full moon, is a unique celestial phenomenon. It is a full moon occurring when the moon passes through the nearest point to the earth in its elliptical orbit. As a result, the apparent size of a supermoon is 14 % larger than the one that passes through the farthest point. It is also 30 % brighter than the one that passes through the farthest point.
To enjoy the "supermoon viewing", I visited my parents, who live on the Keio-Inokashira Line. It was an evening rush hour. Outbound trains were crowded with commuters and students as usual. The Inokashira Line is a short commuter route connecting Shibuya and Kichijoji. Its line length is only 12.7 km. The track is 1,067 mm-size double. The electric system is 1,500 V DC overhead. Although the Inokashira Line is a short route, the express train is frequently operated for flying passengers. It connects with a local train at Eifukucho Station, which is located on the middle point of the line.
Following the beautiful cardinal sunset, the supermoon went up in the eastern sky. It was indeed big, bright and fantastically shining. Feeling the cool autumn breeze, we could enjoy the special supermoon viewing this year.
