The night of November 13, the moon will appear as the “supermoon,” the common term for perigee-syzygy.  Perigee-syzygy means the moon is simultaneously full and at its closest point to earth.  NASA says, “When a full moon makes its closest pass to Earth in its orbit it appears up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter, making it a supermoon.”

 
Also known as a Beaver Moon, stemming from the days when the moon indicated it was time to set beaver traps, tonight’s supermoon is the 2nd in a set of 3 occurrences in 2016.  The first supermoon of the year occurred on October 14, but there will be one more supermoon on December 14.  The last time a supermoon occurred was in 1948, and the next time this phenomenon will occur is November 25, 2038.  The supermoon is a beautiful occurrence, perfect for both professional and amateur astronomers to observe.

Did you stay out and take a picture of the supermoon?  We’d love to see it!  Submit it through Letter to the Editor and you might see your picture on VOX.