A major astronomical event will take place this month. On November 14, the moon will not only be the closest full moon of 2016 but also the closest full moon to date in the 21st century, according to NASA.

Moreover, the full moon won’t come this close to Earth again until November 25, 2034.

The moon on November 14 this year will actually be an extra-supermoon. It will be much bigger and brighter than usual. According to Sciencealert.com, this moon will appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than an average full moon.

The term supermoon has entered popular consciousness in recent years, according to NASA. When it comes to why is the moon closer to Earth at some times, NASA explains that, since the moon’s orbit is elliptical, one side (perigee) is about 30,000 miles closer to Earth than the other (apogee). When the moon, sun, and Earth line up as the moon orbits Earth, that’s called syzygy. 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 supermoon.

Although supermoons aren’t that common, there was one on October 16. Moreover, after the November 14 extra-supermoon, there will be another supermoon on December 16.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWAN0FwfD5M

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com