The science behind Supermoon’s

ST. JOSEPH, Mo (News-Press NOW) --  Over the next few months, stargazers will want to keep an eye on the calendar and night sky. 

Starting in October, the full moons will appear a little bigger and brighter. The community will want to mark their calendars for Oct. 7, Nov. 5 and Dec. 4.

A supermoon happens when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest point to Earth. 

When this alignment occurs, the moon can look up to 14% larger and nearly 30% brighter compared to when it’s farthest away, during what’s called a micromoon.

Supermoons typically occur three to four times a year, and when they do, they will appear consecutively.

On Nov 5, we’ll see the closest supermoon of 2025. The next one won’t happen until Dec. 24, 2026 — making Christmas Eve extra bright.

Supermoons aren’t just beautiful to look at; they also have effects here on Earth. 

The stronger gravitational pull from the moon being closer can cause extra high ocean tides, often called “king tide.” This non-scientific term is what is used to describe the extra rise along the coast during supermoons.

As "spooky season" begins and with the full moon being in the first week of October, don’t be surprised if it looks a little brighter than usual. It just means it’s a little closer.