Don’t miss this week’s supermoon, the final one of the year. This fourth and last supermoon of 2024 will appear bigger and brighter as it comes within about 225,000 miles (361,867 kilometers) of Earth on Thursday, though it will reach its full lunar phase on Friday.
It rises after the peak of the Taurid meteor shower and just before the Leonids become most active. The previous supermoon in October was 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) closer, making it the year’s closest.
The term "supermoon" refers to when a full moon coincides with a close approach to Earth, which occurs about three or four times a year. Though the moon’s size doesn’t actually change, it can appear up to 30 per cent brighter than average.
This year’s supermoons began in August, and in 2025, we can expect three starting in October. While the visual difference is subtle, the increased brightness is noticeable to keen observers.
As lunar exploration ramps up with landers and astronauts, the moon’s presence in the sky has never been more captivating.
