There Hasn't Been a Supermoon Like This in 70 Years

Not since 1948—and not again till Nov. 25, 2034—has there been such a celestial happening, and it's one that ScienceAlert says is the "one astronomical event" you have to see this year. It's kind of a super supermoon, and many can first catch it Sunday night. As CNN explains, a "supermoon" occurs when the full moon coincides with its perigee (when it swings closest to Earth during its orbit), lending the moon up to 30% more brightness and the appearance of being up to 14% bigger. But on Nov. 14, the moon will boast even more superb timing and attain ultimate fullness within two hours or so of perigee—what NASA dubs an "extra-super moon."

The moon will reach that peak fullness during the morning rush hour on Nov. 14 (8:52am EST, to be exact), so those in the eastern US hoping to catch a glimpse will have their best shot either the evening of Nov. 13 or at night on Nov. 14. Left Coasters can wake up early on Nov. 14 to catch it at 5:52am local time. The next regular supermoon after that is set for Dec. 14. (Last year's supermoon eclipse spurred talk of the apocalypse.)