October’s supermoon, set to occur on October 25, will be the closest of the year. This astronomical event will take place in the Northern Hemisphere, where stargazers can witness not only the supermoon but also a rare sighting of the comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas. The moon will be approximately 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) away from Earth, appearing more luminous and larger due to its proximity. A supermoon happens when the full moon aligns with its closest point to Earth, called perigee, in its elliptical orbit. Although the moonlight may obscure parts of the comet’s tail, experts highlight the importance of this unique convergence of celestial events.

The supermoon, which will reach its full phase on Thursday night, is expected to shine 30% brighter than an average full moon. NASA officials acknowledge that the comet’s visibility will be affected by the moonlight, but they recommend observing this rare spectacle. Supermoons generally occur three to four times per year, and while their increased brightness and size are often subtle, they continue to captivate the public. As lunar exploration advances, these events remind humanity of the moon’s potential for future scientific discovery and exploration efforts.