Catch the last supermoon of 2024 this week – here’s when to look up

What is a supermoon?

A supermoon is when the moon is either full or new and is at its closest orbit with the Earth. They happen several times a year and can have different names depending on the month.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - If you miss this week's supermoon, it'll be awhile before you're able to catch the next one.

The upcoming supermoon will be the year’s fourth and final supermoon.

It will look bigger and brighter than usual as it comes within about 225,000 miles (361,867 kilometers) of Earth on Thursday.

It won't reach its full lunar phase until Friday.

The supermoon rises after the peak of the Taurid meteor shower and before the Leonids are most active.

Last month’s supermoon was 2,800 miles closer, making it the year's closest. The series started in August.

In 2025, expect three supermoons beginning in October.

What makes a moon so super?

More a popular term than a scientific one, a supermoon occurs when a full lunar phase syncs up with an especially close swing around Earth. This usually happens only three or four times a year and consecutively, given the moon’s constantly shifting, oval-shaped orbit.

Micromoon vs. Supermoon: Stunning video compares the two

Filmed from the mountains of Colorado, a videographer shows the difference between micromoon and supermoon events.

A supermoon obviously isn’t bigger, but it can appear that way, although scientists say the difference can be barely perceptible.

How do supermoons compare?

This year features a quartet of supermoons.

The one in August was 224,917 miles (361,970 kilometers) away. September’s was 222,131 miles (357,486 kilometers) away. A partial lunar eclipse also unfolded that night, visible in much of the Americas, Africa and Europe as Earth’s shadow fell on the moon, resembling a small bite.

Super Moon rises over the Empire State Building in New York City, US on August 1, 2023. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

October’s supermoon was the year’s closest at 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) from Earth. This month's supermoon will make its closest approach on Thursday with the full lunar phase the next day.

What’s in it for me?

Scientists point out that only the keenest observers can discern the subtle differences. It’s easier to detect the change in brightness — a supermoon can be 30% brighter than average.

With the U.S. and other countries ramping up lunar exploration with landers and eventually astronauts, the moon beckons brighter than ever.