The full moon on Monday will not only be the closest full moon of 2016. It will also be the nearest supermoon in nearly 70 years.
Astronomers are urging the public to witness the lunar spectacle because the moon won't get this close to Earth again until 2034. So when would be the best time to look up to the moon?
Best Time To See The Supermoon
Those who live in the United States have three chances of seeing the moon at its brightest and biggest. This will be from around sunset on Sunday to predawn and sunset on Monday.
NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission deputy project scientist Noah Petro said that there's no significant difference in the moon's distance over this period so people can still go out and see the moon on Monday if it is cloudy on Sunday.
"Any time after sunset should be fine. Since the moon is full, it'll rise at nearly the same time as sunset, so I'd suggest that you head outside after sunset, or once it's dark and the moon is a bit higher in the sky," Petro said.
The moon will reach its orbital perigee at 6:22 a.m. EST on Monday and will officially become full at 8:52 a.m. EST.
At its closest, the moon will appear 7 percent larger across and 16 percent brighter compared with the average moon. Astronomers, however, said that many people will not notice the difference. The difference in size and brightness can be blurred away by a number of factors such as the presence of clouds or the light pollution particularly from the big cities.
Closest Full Moon In Nearly 70 Years
The supermoon will be the closest full moon to date in the 21st century. The last time the lunar disk was this close to our planet was in 1948, when a gallon of gas cost only 16 cents. Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated as the next U.S. President come January next year, was only two-years old at the time.
"The full moon of November 14 is not only the closest full moon of 2016 but also the closest full moon to date in the 21st century. The full moon won't come this close to Earth again until November 25, 2034," NASA said.
Other Ways To Watch The Supermoon
Those who won't be able to go outside to see the supermoon can opt to watch the lunar disk online. Slooh will be livestreaming the spectacle.
