National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Rare Supermoon on Steroids Lights Up Night Sky

At 221,523 miles away, the moon will be the closest it has been to Earth in 69 years

The moon doesn't get much bigger and brighter than this.

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On Sunday night and into Monday morning, Earthlings were treated to a so-called supermoon -- the closest full moon of the year.

Monday's supermoon was extra super -- it was the closest the moon has come to us in almost 69 years. And it won't happen again for another 18 years.

NASA says closest approach occurred at at 3:21 a.m. PST Monday when the moon came within 221,523 miles (356,508 kilometers). That's from the center of the Earth to the center of the moon.

Full moon occurred at 5:52 a.m. PST.

Supermoons can appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter in the night sky. But it takes a real expert to notice the difference.

The last time the moon was so close -- actually, 29 miles closer -- was in January 1948. That's the same year the Cleveland Indians last won the World Series, Petro noted, "a big year," at least there.

In 2034, the moon will come even closer, within 221,485 miles. That, too, will be a supermoon.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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