Best Supermoon 2017 Photos From Around The World

Every once in a while, the night of a full moon coincides with the day Earth’s only natural satellite makes it closest approach to the planet during its orbit (which is not circular). And that coincidence gives the moon a somewhat larger and brighter appearance from here, even though it isn’t easy to tell the difference with the untrained naked eye.

Such a “supermoon” may appear closer and larger than usual if seen near the horizon, but that is an illusion caused by how the human brain works. And the appearance of a supermoon has no special significance to science or astronomy.

However, astronomy allows us to easily calculate when these supermoons will be visible in the sky, and the dates are announced well in advance. And so we knew that, after a spate of supermoons in 2016, Dec. 3 was the only supermoon that would be visible in 2017. And sky-watchers around the world made sure they saw the moon and also captured it in photographs, both for memory and to share with those who couldn’t see it.

In case you didn’t see the moon Sunday night, you will get your chance again. Two chances, in fact. Both the next two full moons, Jan. 1 and Jan. 31 in 2018, will be supermoons too.

Here are some photographs from various locations around the planet, showing the moon in its larger than usual glory on the night of Dec. 3.