Early risers had a chance to see what scientists say is the biggest and brightest “supermoon” in 69 years. And if you missed it, you’ll not get the chance to see the moon so close to earth for another 18 years.
“Supermoon” is a term used to describe a full moon at its “perigee” or closet point ot Earth during hits lunar orbit. Viewers saw a moon that was roughly 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than the typical full moon.
According to NASA, the moon was closest to Earth at 5:21 a.m. (CST) today when the moon was a neighborly 221,532 miles from Earth.
While this morning’s supermoon was the closest full moon to rise since Jan. 26, 1948, it is not the closest full moon approach on record.
In January 1912, the full moon was “just under 100 kilometers closer than the full moon” today and the supermoon of November 2034 will be even closer, NASA scientist Noah Petro said.
In 2034, the moon will come even closer, within 221,485 miles, he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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