Today’s moon closest full moon of year
Associated Press
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.
The moon doesn’t get much bigger and brighter than this.
Today, Earthlings will be treated to a so-called supermoon – the closest full moon of the year.
Today’s supermoon will be extra super – it will be the closest the moon comes to us in almost 69 years. And it won’t happen again for another 18 years.
NASA says closest approach will occur at 6:21 a.m. when the moon comes within 221,523 miles. That’s from the center of the Earth to the center of the moon. Full moon will occur at 8:52 a.m.
NASA planetary geologist Noah Petro is urging everyone to step outside and soak in the view. At the time of closest approach, the moon will be setting and the sun rising, at least on the U.S. East Coast. A second night of prime viewing will be tonight.
Supermoons can appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter in the night sky. But it takes a real expert to notice the difference.
The last time the moon was so close – actually, 29 miles closer – was in January 1948. That’s the same year the Cleveland Indians last won the World Series, Petro noted, “a big year,” at least there.
In 2034, the moon will come even closer, within 221,485 miles. That, too, will be a supermoon.