Supermoon Dates: Peak Time and Date for Last Super Moon for 2014, and a Look into 2015

A full moon rises over the Dolomiti mountains in Levico Terme near Trento in north of Italy on August 10, 2014. AFP/Getty Images

The last supermoon of 2014 is set to rise on Tuesday, September 9.

It will be the fifth supermoon of this year.

The term “super moon” describes a moon that is closer to Earth than usual.

Because of how close the supermoon is, it can appear as much as 14 percent larger in the sky and 30 percent brighter to our eyes than normal moons, according to NASA.

The term came from astrologer Richard Nolle over 30 years ago, and is only now coming into popular usage, according to EarthSky. Nolle said a supermoon is “a new or full moon which occurs with the moon at or near (within 90 percent of) its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit.”

NASA notes that the scientific term for the phenomenon is “perigee moon.”

“Full Moons vary in size because of the oval shape of the Moon’s orbit. The Moon follows an elliptical path around Earth with one side (perigee) about 50,000 kilometers closer than the other (apogee). Full Moons that occur on the perigee side of the Moon’s orbit seem extra big and bright,” it said in a recent blog post.

“This coincidence happens three times in 2014. On July 12th and Sept 9th the Moon becomes full on the same day as perigee. On August 10th it becomes full during the same hour as perigee—arguably making it an extra-super Moon.”

The approximate size of the Full Moon at apogee and at perigee (a “Super Moon”). (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics).

A girl plays with a dog as a perigee moon, also known as a super moon, raises in Madrid, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

 

The full moon peeks through trees in a wood near Rasing, Austria, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. AP Photo/Ronald Zak

Geza Gyuk, an astronomer at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, says that the moon will be visible all night following the sunset, weather permitting.

“Just find a time that is convenient and where you can spend a few minutes just looking and appreciating,” he told National Geographic.

“Try and look for the moon when it is near the horizon, that’s when it gives an extra thrill, as it appears larger and more colorful than when it is overhead.”

The moon will rise above the eastern horizon after sunset and will set at sunrise in the west--these are times when the best pictures can be snapped.

“The setup isn’t too important, but I'd recommend something with not too large a field of view or the moon will simply seem too tiny, said Gyuk. ”Slightly after sunset, when the moon is low in the sky and the sky is darkening, is very dramatic for viewing and photography.”

There are actually six supermoons projected for next year–on January 20, February 18, March 20, August 29, September 28, October 27.