Here's how you can check out the brightest supermoon of 2024 in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI — October's full moon marks the third of four so-called “supermoons” in a row, with the moon appearing brighter and larger than usual.

This supermoon will rise Wednesday night into Thursday morning, and will be the brightest of all the full moons in 2024, according to NASA.

For astronomy enthusiasts in the Tri-State area, there is a special event to help everyone interested enjoy it in the best way possible.

Dean Rigas, a Cincinnati astronomer, is hosting a public viewing party Wednesday night to help Cincinnatians get a closer look at the phenomenon.

The viewing party will be held at the Ault Park Pavilion at 5090 Observatory Circle and will be completely free to attend. The event starts at 6pm and continues until 8pm

Attendees will be able to explore different telescope designs, learn more about the Moon itself, and if the weather cooperates, share views of the newly discovered comet.

For those who can't make it to a viewing party, but still want to be able to look through a telescope to admire the moon, the Cincinnati Public Library can help. Through a partnership with Dean Regas and the Cincinnati Observatory, library cardholders can take advantage of 10 Orion StarBlast 4.5-inch astronomical telescopes for free.

What is a “supermoon”?

A supermoon is defined as a new or full moon that is within 90% of its closest point to Earth.

The Moon's orbit around the Earth is somewhat irregular and elliptical. For this reason, the distance between the Earth and the Moon is different. The Moon is at perigee, which means it is relatively close to Earth.

On Wednesday night, the moon will be about 222,000 miles from Earth. When the Moon is at its peak, it can be more than 253,000 miles away.

NASA says a supermoon during a full moon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the weakest moon of the year.

Because the full moon occurs once a month, each month's moon is given its own name. The full moon in October is considered the “Fisherman's Moon.”

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the full moon after the “harvest moon” in September indicates it's time to hunt for the winter as the leaves fall.