The moon is expected to look bigger and brighter at the end of the weekend after skies clear up throughout the state – creating a super moon in the early hours of Monday. NASA says the moon hasn’t been this close since 1948 and won’t be again for the next 18 years. LSU professor of physics and astronomy Dr. Brad Schaefer encourages everyone to go outside and enjoy the beauty of the moon.

“The full moon is beautiful to watch rise, and there’s something humbling about seeing things up in the sky like that,” Schaefer said.

NASA says the moon Sunday night into Monday will appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter than when farthest from Earth. Schaefer says it will be a sight to behold.

“Watching the moon is fun and beautiful and wonderful. Go outside and watch the moon rise in the company of a good friend,” Schaefer said.

Around 5 am on November 14, the moon will be about 216,000 miles away from our planet – just 30 miles farther than its brush with our planet 68 years ago. Schaefer says the best time to look at the super moon will be right after sunset as it begins to rise.

“As the moon rises higher in the sky, it just doesn’t look anywhere near as huge as is when it was down on the horizon,” Schaefer said.

 

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