The final supermoon of 2024 approaches, offering a celestial spectacle before a long wait until the next series in 2025. (AP/Kiichiro Sato)
- This week's supermoon, the fourth and final of 2024, will be visible on Thursday, coming within 225,000 miles of Earth.
- Supermoons occur when a full lunar phase coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth, happening 3-4 times annually.
- While size differences may be subtle, supermoons can appear 30% brighter, making them a captivating sight for sky watchers.
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Better catch this week’s supermoon. It will be a while until the next one.
This will be the year’s fourth and final supermoon, looking bigger and brighter than usual as it comes within about 225,000 miles (361,867 kilometers) of Earth on Thursday. It won’t reach its full lunar phase until Friday.
The supermoon rises after the peak of the Taurid meteor shower and before the Leonids are most active.
Last month’s supermoon was 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) closer, making it the year’s closest. The series started in August.
In 2025, expect three supermoons beginning in October.
Related Story: Partial Eclipse of Harvest Supermoon to Light Up the Sky on Sept. 17
What Makes a Moon So Super?
More a popular term than a scientific one, a supermoon occurs when a full lunar phase syncs up with an especially close swing around Earth. This usually happens only three or four times a year and consecutively, given the moon’s constantly shifting, oval-shaped orbit.
A supermoon obviously isn’t bigger, but it can appear that way, although scientists say the difference can be barely perceptible.
How Do Supermoons Compare?
This year features a quartet of supermoons.
The one in August was 224,917 miles (361,970 kilometers) away. September’s was 222,131 miles (357,486 kilometers) away. A partial lunar eclipse also unfolded that night, visible in much of the Americas, Africa and Europe as Earth’s shadow fell on the moon, resembling a small bite.
October’s supermoon was the year’s closest at 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) from Earth. This month’s supermoon will make its closest approach on Thursday with the full lunar phase the next day.
Related Story: What’s Behind the Northern Lights That Dazzled the Sky Farther South Than ...
What’s in It for Me?
Scientists point out that only the keenest observers can discern the subtle differences. It’s easier to detect the change in brightness — a supermoon can be 30% brighter than average.
With the U.S. and other countries ramping up lunar exploration with landers and eventually astronauts, the moon beckons brighter than ever.
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