Special sight in the sky for upcoming August supermoon

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- All you stargazers get ready to look up!

The first supermoon of the year is happening Monday Aug. 19 at approximately 2:26 p.m., according to a table by Fred Espanak. The eclipse expert and retired NASA astrophysicist forecasts that it will be the first of four supermoons we’ll see for the year.

Supermoon dates for 2024:

• Aug. 19 at 2:26 p.m.
• Sep. 18 at 10:34 a.m.
• Oct. 17 at 7:26 a.m.
• Nov 15 at 5:29 p.m.

Espanak defines supermoons as when either a New Moon or Full Moon phase occurs while it is at its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit. During that time the Moon looks larger and brighter than normal, resulting in the supermoon effect. 

This month’s supermoon, also known as the Sturgeon Moon, will sit about 361,970 kilometers from Earth. In comparison the Moon is usually 384,400 kilometers from Earth according to NASA. 

Although the August supermoon will be the closest to Earth, October’s will look the biggest.