Largest, brightest supermoon since 1948 to rise on Nov. 14

By Brian Lada, Meteorologist

November 13,2016; 7:47PM,EST

 

 

Just before the largest supermoon in nearly 70 years rises early on Nov. 14, onlookers will have a stunning visual in the November night sky.
November's supermoon will be the second of three to close out 2016, the first of which occurred on Oct. 16. The final will take place on Dec. 13.
The term supermoon has made its way into pop culture over the past few years to describe a full moon that appears larger and brighter than normal.
This occurs when the full moon falls on the same day as perigee, the point in the moon's orbit when it is closest to the Earth, according to NASA.
In this picture made available Sunday, July 13, 2014, the full moon rises above the castle of Somoskoujfalu, 123 km northeast of Budapest, Hungary, late Saturday, July 12, 2014. (AP Photo/MTI, Peter Komka)
While Nov. 14's supermoon will be one of three to close out 2016, it will stand out from the rest as the largest one since 1948. It will appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than a full moon that falls on apogee, the point in the moon's orbit when it is farthest away from the Earth.
It may be hard to detect the difference in size, but if you see the moon when it is near the horizon, an illusion will occur that makes it look unusually larger.

Most people across the United States should be able to view the supermoon; however, clouds will be an issue for those across the Pacific Northwest.
Those that miss Sunday night's supermoon will have to wait until Nov. 25,2034, to see a supermoon appear this large again, according to NASA.
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Regardless if it is a supermoon or not, November's full moon goes by many different names with the most popular being the Beaver Moon.
"November's full moon was called the Beaver Moon by both the colonists and the Algonquin tribes because this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs," the Old Farmer's Almanac said.
Other names for November's full moon includes the Frost Moon, the White Moon, the Milk Moon and the Flower Moon.
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