CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Monday’s supermoon is the first of four this year.
During a supermoon, the full moon comes slightly closer to Earth than usual. A supermoon is not larger, but it can appear that way in the night sky, although scientists say the difference may be barely noticeable.
The September supermoon coincides with a partial lunar eclipse. The October supermoon will be the closest moon of the year, and the November supermoon will round out the year.
A supermoon is a popular rather than scientific term. It occurs when a full phase of the moon coincides with a particularly close orbit around the Earth. This usually only happens three or four times a year, and in a row, because the moon’s oval orbit is constantly changing.
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