The 2017 supermoon is super sky show

By Alaa Elassar, CNN

Updated 0328 GMT (1128 HKT) December 4, 2017

The moon rises behind the Uppatasanti Pagoda seen in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. It was the only supermoon of the year and the first of three consecutive supermoons. The next two will occur on Jan. 1 and Jan. 31.
Photos: 2017 supermoon around the world
The moon rises behind the Uppatasanti Pagoda seen in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. It was the only supermoon of the year and the first of three consecutive supermoons. The next two will occur on Jan. 1 and Jan. 31.
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The supermoon rises over a highway near Yangon, Myanmar. The lunar phenomenon occurs when a full moon is at its closest point to Earth.
Photos: 2017 supermoon around the world
The supermoon rises over a highway near Yangon, Myanmar. The lunar phenomenon occurs when a full moon is at its closest point to Earth.
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The supermoon is seen behind a minaret in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Photos: 2017 supermoon around the world
The supermoon is seen behind a minaret in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
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The supermoon rises above Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire, England.
Photos: 2017 supermoon around the world
The supermoon rises above Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire, England.
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The year's only supermoon is bright behind the clouds above the Castle of Corigliano, in Calabria, southern Italy.
Photos: 2017 supermoon around the world
The year's only supermoon is bright behind the clouds above the Castle of Corigliano, in Calabria, southern Italy.
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The moon rises in front of a replica of the Statue of Liberty sitting atop the Liberty Building in downtown Buffalo, N.Y.
Photos: 2017 supermoon around the world
The moon rises in front of a replica of the Statue of Liberty sitting atop the Liberty Building in downtown Buffalo, N.Y.
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The moon rises behind the US Capitol in Washington, DC, viewed from Arlington, Virginia.
Photos: 2017 supermoon around the world
The moon rises behind the US Capitol in Washington, DC, viewed from Arlington, Virginia.
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The iconice winidmill in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, is illuminated by the supermoon. The moon is at its closest point to Earth, making the moon appear up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than usual.
Photos: 2017 supermoon around the world
The iconice winidmill in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, is illuminated by the supermoon. The moon is at its closest point to Earth, making the moon appear up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than usual.
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An airplane crosses in front of the moon, seen in Avondale Estates, Georgia.
Photos: 2017 supermoon around the world
An airplane crosses in front of the moon, seen in Avondale Estates, Georgia.
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Story highlights

  • The supermoon is visible on the night of December 3
  • But if you miss it, there will be two more supermoons in January

(CNN)Stargazers, astronomers and curious sky-watchers are getting chance to witness the first and only full-moon supermoon of 2017.

On Sunday night, the moon shines 16% brighter and appears 7% larger than its usual size. Last year, a memorable supermoon was marked in the history books. In November 2016, the moon was closest to the Earth than it had been since 1948, producing a supersized supermoon.
This supermoon will be the first in the series of three consecutive full moon supermoons, the next two will be in January.
So when is the best time to look?
Most astronomers suggest watching the supermoon right after sunset and into moonrise, and minutes before the next sunrise as well.
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According to timeanddate.com, the best time to enjoy a full moon supermoon is after moonrise when it is just above the horizon. At this point, a supermoon looks bigger and brighter than when it's higher up in the sky.
While the moon officially reached its fullest Sunday morning, it will continue to appear "super" until it sets once again.
And for anyone unable to step outside and see the moon, you can watch a livestream of the phenomenon.

The science behind the supermoon

Michelle Nichols, director of public observing at Chicago's Adler Planetarium, explained the moon's captivating close approach to the Earth.
"The moon's orbit is not a perfect circle. It's more like an oval, so at times it's closer to the Earth than it is at other times. The difference in distance between these close and far points can be as much as about 30,000 miles."
The distance between the moon and Earth constantly changes. Each time the moon orbits the Earth, every 29.5 days, it will reach a close point to the Earth (perigee), and a far point (apogee), and occasionally, the close point will be close to the date of the full moon or new moon, a supermoon.
Brightest supermoon since 1948
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
Crowds in Fremantle, Australia, look at <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/14/world/supermoon-november-2016/" target="_blank">the supermoon</a> on Monday, November 14. NASA scientists say the moon is brighter than it has appeared at any point in the last 68 years.
Photos: Brightest supermoon since 1948
Crowds in Fremantle, Australia, look at the supermoon on Monday, November 14. NASA scientists say the moon is brighter than it has appeared at any point in the last 68 years.
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