The super moon that is coming on Nov. 14 could be the biggest sky watchers have seen since 1948, with scientists saying that Earth's satellite will not be this close for nearly 20 years.
November's super moon will appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter, USA Today reported, citing information from NASA.
According to NASA, the term "super moon" originally came from astrology, meaning a new or full moon that occurs when the moon is within 90 percent of its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit. The term now refers more broadly to a full moon that is closer to Earth than average, noted the space agency.
"Since the moon's orbit is elliptical, one side (perigee) is about 30,000 miles closer to Earth than the other (apogee)," NASA said. "The word syzygy, in addition to being useful in word games, is the scientific name for when the Earth, sun, and moon line up as the moon orbits Earth.
"When perigee-syzygy of the Earth-moon-sun system occurs and the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun, we get a perigee moon or more commonly, a super moon.
This coincidence happens three times in 2016. On Oct. 16 and Dec. 14, the moon becomes full on the same day as perigee. On Nov. 14, it becomes full within about two hours of perigee — arguably making it an extra-super moon," the NASA statement continued.
The website EarthSky.org said that the moon will reach the crest of its full phase on Nov. 14 at 8:52 a.m. Eastern time and 5:52 a.m. Pacific time.
"Extremely careful observers might notice it appears at its largest in our sky," said EarthSky.org writer Bruce McClure. "… And all of us can notice that the moon will appear at its brightest in our sky. The moon won’t be so close and bright again for another 18 years."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.