Sky Matters: Looking ahead to the night skies of 2017

THERE was a lot of talk about “supermoons” in 2016, a phenomenon which happens when the full moon happens to coincide with the moon being closer to the earth in its non-circular orbit.

Not to be outdone, there will be a “supersun” of sorts on January 4, when the distance between the earth and sun is at its minimum for the year. Known as “perihelion”, the Sun will be about 3% brighter than it will be in July, when it is farthest from the Earth.

This 3% difference is measurable, but you won’t really notice it and of course NEVER look at Sun directly as permanent damage to your eyes can be caused in an instant.