CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Stargazers are in for a treat as the first of four supermoons this year graces the night sky next week, marking the beginning of a series of spectacular lunar events.
On Monday, the full moon will reach its supermoon phase, appearing slightly larger and brighter as it moves closer to Earth than usual. This celestial event provides an excellent opportunity for skywatchers to observe our planet’s natural satellite up close.
“I like to think of the supermoon as a good excuse to start looking at the moon more regularly,” said Noah Petro, project scientist for NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
August’s supermoon is just the beginning of a series of lunar phenomena. September’s supermoon will be accompanied by a partial lunar eclipse, offering an additional visual treat. October will feature the year’s closest supermoon, while November will round out the series with the final supermoon of 2024.
What Makes a Moon “Super”?
The term “supermoon” is more popular than scientific. It occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth, known as perigee. This alignment happens about three or four times a year due to the moon’s elliptical orbit. Although the moon’s size doesn’t physically increase, it can appear noticeably larger and brighter during these events.
“Unless you have looked at a lot of full moons or compare them in images, it is hard to notice the difference, but people should try,” Petro noted in an email.
How Do This Year’s Supermoons Compare?
This year’s supermoons are set to impress:
- August’s Supermoon will be about 224,917 miles (361,970 kilometers) from Earth.
- September’s Supermoon will come nearly 3,000 miles (4,484 kilometers) closer on the night of September 17, coinciding with a partial lunar eclipse visible across much of the Americas, Africa, and Europe.
- October’s Supermoon will be the closest of the year at 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) from Earth.
- November’s Supermoon will be about 224,853 miles (361,867 kilometers) away.
Why Should You Care?
While the visual differences can be subtle, supermoons are typically about 30% brighter than an average full moon. With renewed interest in lunar exploration, particularly through NASA’s Artemis program, the moon is gaining attention like never before.
“It certainly makes it more fun to stare at,” Petro said, reflecting on the excitement surrounding upcoming lunar missions.
So mark your calendars and prepare to enjoy these stunning celestial events that highlight the beauty and fascination of our moon.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
