The first supermoon of the year is approaching. Here’s what to know
New York – New York (AP) – The moon will appear slightly larger and more brilliant Monday evening during what is known as a supermoon.
The October Supermoon is the first of three of this year. This happens when a full moon is closer to the earth on its orbit. This makes the moon 14% larger and 30% brighter than the slightest moon of the year, according to NASA. The subtle difference occurs several times a year, sometimes coinciding with other astronomical events such as lunar eclipses.
“It is not really very unusual,” said Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
Anyone in the world can see a supermoon without special equipment if a clear sky allows. But the difference can be difficult to discern, especially if people have not observed the regular moon on the nights preceding.
“If you go out and look at the moon when it is very high in the sky, there is nothing relative to give you an idea of its appearance,” said Pitts.
In the last vision, the moon will increase to around 224,600 miles (361,459 kilometers) of earth. The nearest supermoon is scheduled for November, followed by another in December.
The glasses continued in 2026 with two lunar eclipses: a total eclipse in a large part of North America, Asia and Australia in March, and partial in August through the Americas, Africa and Europe.
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