We may be past the skygazing season, but don't put pack away your telescope or binoculars for winter just yet - the biggest and brightest moon is yet to come.
Moongazers are set to be treated to two supermoons before the year is out - one on Monday, and another on Dec. 14.
On Nov. 14, earthlings will be treated to what NASA has dubbed an extra-supermoon, which will be closest the moon will be to Earth in nearly 69 years.
Better catch it if you can: A full moon won't come thi
s close to Earth again until 2034.
NASA says the closest approach will occur at 6:21 a.m. EST. The full moon will occur at 8:52 a.m. EST.
Supermoons occur when a full moon is at its closest approach to Earth, creating a larger and brighter appearance in the heavens. According to NASA, the moon has an uneven orbit that brings it closer to Earth at times.
At its closest point, known as its "perigee," the moon is approximately 50,000 kilometres closer than its farthest point, known as the "apogee."
According to NASA, a supermoon can appear as much as 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than a regular, or apogee, full moon.
NASA planetary geologist Noah Petro told The Associated Press that he's hoping people make an effort to take in the view. However, he said that even he won't be able to see major differences in lunar size or luminosity. Still, earthlings will be in for a sky show, Petro said, weather permitting. And, at the very least, he said, the supermoon is getting people "talking, thinking and caring about the moon."
"It's a great shared resource for all humanity," said Petro, who is a deputy project scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter circling the moon.
A fall supermoon already occurred on Oct. 16, and the final one is set for Dec. 16, in the lead-up to the new year.
Prime viewing for the Nov. 14 event will be Sunday and Monday nights.
With files from The Associated Press
