The Moon, Super-Sized

The full moon on the night of Sunday, November 13, RIGHT, into the morning of Monday, November 14, ABOVE, was a “Supermoon”, appearing brighter and larger than a regular full moon would. Why? The moon is actually closer to the earth due to a slightly elliptical orbit. The “Supermoon” appears 14-percent larger and 30-percent brighter than a regular moon. November’s full moon is the closest that the moon has been since 1948 – and it won’t be this close, appear this bright, or look this large again until Nov. 25, 2034. Did you miss the supermoon this time around? No worries. Both the October and December full moons are “Supermoons” as well, and while perhaps not quite as bright as November’s, the difference should be nearly indistinguishable to the naked eye. Of course, December’s full moon could be out on a cloudy night. We’ll just have to wait and see!