October's supermoon pairs with a comet in a special nighttime scene

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) – October Supermoon It is the closest to the year and it is Team up with Comet For rare stargazing for two for one.

The third of Four supermoons This year, it will be 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) away Wednesday night, making it appear larger and brighter than it did in August and September. It will reach its full lunar phase on Thursday.

In a twist of cosmic fate, there's a comet in the neighborhood. Comet Tsuchenshan-Atlas was discovered last year and is now prominent in the Northern Hemisphere after dazzling stargazers in the Southern Hemisphere.

NASA's Bill Cook said the moonlight will wash off some of the comet's tail, but it's still worth watching after sunset.

“Most astronomers hate the full moon because its bright light spoils observations of other objects. So it's a bit difficult for us to wax poetic about this even if it is the largest supermoon of 2024,” he said in an email.

It is better to catch the culprit; He may never come back. But don't worry if you miss the supermoon on Thursday. The fourth and final supermoon of the year will appear on November 15.

What makes the moon so great?

It is a common term rather than a scientific term. Supermoon It occurs when the full moon phase coincides with a particularly close oscillation around the Earth. This usually happens only three or four times a year and in a row, due to the Moon's ever-changing elliptical orbit.

The supermoon is clearly not larger, but it can appear that way, although scientists say the difference may be barely perceptible.

How does a supermoon compare?

There is a quadrant of supermoons this year.

The event, which occurred in August, was 224,917 miles (361,970 kilometers) away. September was nearly 3,000 miles (4,484 kilometers) away from the night of September 17 until the next morning. A partial lunar eclipse also occurred that night, visible across much of the Americas, Africa and Europe, as the Earth's shadow fell on the Moon, resembling a small sting.

October's supermoon is the closest of the year at 222,055 miles (357,364 km) from Earth, followed by November's supermoon at 224,853 miles (361,867 km).

What's in it for me?

Scientists point out that only the most careful observers can discern subtle differences. The change in brightness is easier to spot, as a supermoon can be 30% brighter than average.

As the United States and other countries ramp up lunar exploration using landers and eventually astronauts, the moon is brighter than ever.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Education Media Group. AP is solely responsible for all content.