How and when to catch the last supermoon of 2025

Article content

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Better catch this weekâ€s supermoon. It will be a while until the next one.

This will be the yearâ€s fourth and final supermoon, looking bigger and brighter than usual as it comes within about 362,500 kilometres of Earth on Thursday. It wonâ€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.

Article content

Last monthâ€s supermoon was 4,500 kilometres closer, making it the yearâ€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 moonâ€s constantly shifting, oval-shaped orbit.

A supermoon obviously isnâ€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 361,970 kilometres away. Septemberâ€s was 357,486 kilometres away. A partial lunar eclipse also unfolded that night, visible in much of the Americas, Africa and Europe as Earthâ€s shadow fell on part of the moon, resembling a small bite.

Octoberâ€s supermoon was the yearâ€s closest at 357,364 kilometres from Earth. This monthâ€s supermoon will make its closest approach on Thursday with the full lunar phase the next day.

Article content

Whatâ€s in it for me?

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

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

Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here.

Share this article in your social network