Anyone planning to go werewolf hunting this Monday? Maybe do some mooning (which I don’t suggest or endorse)? Perhaps even shoot for the moon? No? No one? Well that’s too bad, I guess we can settle for just staring up at the sky then; staring is fun. Now to the actual point of these horrible puns. This upcoming Monday, November 14, is the closest the moon has ever been to the Earth in over 68 years. It’s referred to as the Perigee Full Moon. And it will be the biggest, brightest, most super of any of the moons this year.

So why is this moon so rare? Well there’s two factors to be considered. What’s the moon’s phase and its position in its orbit around the Earth.

The moon goes through a variety of phases, involving waning and waxing cycles; and appearances of crescents, gibbous, quarters, and full moons. Full moons occur when the moon is on the side of the Earth opposite to the sun, and the three celestial bodies line up (sun, Earth, moon). This allows a-side-of-the-moon (the side facing the Earth) to fully reflect the sun’s light. Hence, us Terrains, seeing the full moon, instead of a sliver at a time.

With orbit, as the moon orbits the Earth, there are points within that cycle where the moon is at its closest and farthest distances from our planet. Since the moon’s orbit isn’t a perfect circle. The closer phases are referred to as the Perigee stage. And the farther phases are referred to as Apogee. Obviously, the Perigee stage makes the moon appear bigger, since it’s a bit closer than usual.

Now how does this all come into play with the November Perigee Moon? Well it’s what we call a “supermoon.” Like the supermoon! When the moon is full and at a perigee, it’s considered a supermoon. This year, November’s full moon is the closest perigee orbit since January 26, 1948! It’ll appear 14 percent larger and about 30 percent brighter, according to NASA officials. And the moon won’t come this close or be this bright again until November 25, 2034! We’ll be old people by then!

But have no fear! During late night November 13th up to early morning November 15th, it’s been predicted that the moon should be viewable. Of course, the most ideal date is the 14th, nonetheless good luck on that werewolf hunt!