Space · IN60SECONDS

What is a supermoon?

A full Moon that happens near its closest point to Earth. It can look up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than the faintest full Moon of the year. The next ones are November 24 and December 23–24, 2026.

Quick Answer

A supermoon is a full Moon that happens when the Moon is at or near perigee, the closest point in its orbit to Earth. The Moon’s orbit is an oval, so its distance changes: about 226,000 miles (363,300 km) at perigee and about 251,000 miles (405,500 km) at apogee, its farthest point, according to NASA. “Supermoon” isn’t an official astronomical term. The astrologer Richard Nolle coined it in 1979, and it’s usually used for a full Moon that comes within 90 percent of perigee. At its best, a supermoon can look up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the faintest full Moon of the year, the one near apogee. In 2026, the supermoons are the full Moons of January 3, November 24 and December 23–24. The December one, about 356,700 km (221,700 miles) away, is the closest full Moon of the year.

By the Numbers

~226,000 miThe Moon’s distance at perigee

~251,000 miThe Moon’s distance at apogee

Up to 14%Larger than the faintest full Moon

Up to 30%Brighter than the faintest full Moon

Key Facts

Definition: A full Moon at or near perigee, usually within 90% of it
Size and brightness: Up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than the faintest full Moon of the year
Not official: The term was coined by the astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979
2026 supermoons: January 3, November 24 and December 23–24

Closest vs. farthest full Moon

	Full Moon near perigee (a supermoon)	Full Moon near apogee
Distance from Earth	About 226,000 miles (363,300 km)	About 251,000 miles (405,500 km)
Apparent size	Up to 14% larger	The smallest of the year
Brightness	Up to 30% brighter	The faintest of the year

Source: NASA. Perigee and apogee distances vary from orbit to orbit.

An oval orbit

The Moon travels around Earth in an oval rather than a circle, so some times it’s closer than others. Every 27 days or so, it reaches perigee, its closest point, and about two weeks later it reaches apogee, its farthest. When a full Moon happens to land near perigee, it’s called a supermoon. Astronomers call the alignment a perigee syzygy.

How “super” is it?

Not as dramatic as the name sounds. NASA says a supermoon can look up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the faintest full Moon of the year, which happens when it’s farthest from Earth. Because the change is gradual, it’s hard to judge by eye without a comparison photo. The Moon also looks larger near the horizon, but that’s an optical illusion, and it happens on any night.

The 2026 supermoons

There are three in 2026. The first was January 3. The Beaver Moon on November 24 is full at 9:53 a.m. Eastern, so it looks full on the nights of November 23 and 24. The Cold Moon is full at 8:28 p.m. Eastern on December 23, which is 01:28 UTC on December 24. At about 356,700 km from Earth, it’s the closest and brightest full Moon of 2026.

Myth vs. Fact

MythA supermoon is a giant, glowing Moon.

FactAt most it’s about 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than the faintest full Moon, a modest change.

Myth“Supermoon” is an official astronomical term.

FactAn astrologer coined it in 1979. Astronomers call it a perigee syzygy, and the “within 90 percent of perigee” cutoff is a convention, not a rule.

The Bottom Line

A supermoon is a full Moon near perigee, when the Moon is closest to Earth. It can look up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the faintest full Moon, and the next ones are November 24 and December 23–24, 2026.