View Images of August’s Supermoon, the First of Four Lunar Events
FLORIDA—The supermoon that appeared on Monday was the first of four expected this year.
Supermoons occur when the full moon is slightly closer to Earth than usual. While it may not actually be larger, it can appear that way in the night sky, although the difference is usually barely noticeable according to scientists.
The supermoon in September will coincide with a partial lunar eclipse. October’s supermoon will be the closest approach of the year, followed by November’s to end the year.
More of a popular rather than a scientific term, a supermoon occurs when a full lunar phase aligns with a particularly close orbit around Earth. This typically only happens three or four times a year in succession, due to the moon’s continuously shifting oval-shaped orbit.
People walk in front of a rising supermoon at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on Aug. 19, 2024.Richard Vogel/AP Photo
The super moon rises behind the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem on Aug. 19, 2024.Leo Correa/AP Photo
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