CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Better catch this week’s fish super moon. It will be a while before the next one.

It will be the fourth and final supermoon of the year, appearing larger and brighter than usual as it sits about 225,000 miles (361,867 kilometers) from Earth on Thursday. It will not reach its full lunar phase until Friday.

The super moon rises after the peak of the Taurid Meteor Shower and before the Leonids were most active.

Last month’s super moon was 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) closer, making it the closest of the year. THE the series has started in August.

In 2025, expect three supermoons starting in October.

What makes a moon so awesome?

More of a popular term than a scientific one, a supermoon occurs when a full lunar phase synchronizes with a particularly close wobble around Earth. This usually only happens three or four times a year and consecutively, given the Moon’s oval and ever-changing orbit.

A supermoon is obviously not bigger, but it can appear that way, although scientists say the difference may be barely noticeable.

How do supermoons compare?

This year we are offering a quartet of supermoons.

The one in August was 224,917 miles (361,970 kilometers). The September one was 222,131 miles (357,486 kilometers). A partial lunar eclipse also occurred that night, visible across much of the Americas, Africa, and Europe, as Earth’s shadow fell on the Moon, looking like a small bite.

October’s supermoon was the closest of the year, 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) from Earth. This month’s supermoon will come closest on Thursday with the full lunar phase the following day.

What do I gain from it?

Scientists emphasize that only the most careful observers can discern the subtle differences. It is easier to detect the change in brightness: a supermoon can be 30% brighter than average.

As the United States and other countries ramp up lunar exploration with landers and eventually astronauts, the Moon appears brighter than ever.

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