CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Monday’s supermoon is the first of four this year.

During a supermoon, the full moon inches a little closer than usual to Earth. A supermoon isn’t bigger, but it can appear that way in the night sky, although scientists say the difference can be barely perceptible.

September’s supermoon will coincide with a partial lunar eclipse. October’s will be the year’s closest approach, and November’s will round out the year.

More a popular term than a scientific one, a supermoon occurs when a full lunar phase syncs up with an especially close swing around Earth. This usually happens only three or four times a year and consecutively, given the moon’s constantly shifting, oval-shaped orbit.

The supermoon rises from behind a resident building in Berlin, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
A supermoon rises behind the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
The super moon rises behind the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio, south of Athens, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas)
The super moon rises behind the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
A supermoon rises behind the Burj Khalifa, world’s tallest tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
A nearly full supermoon rises in the sky after rain in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

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