CHICAGO – Chicago residents could see the brightest supermoon of the year thanks to clear skies Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

According to NASA, a supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its orbit. It can look up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than when the moon is at its furthest point from Earth.

According to AstroPixels, Thursday’s supermoon will be the closest full moon of the year, located about 350,056 kilometers from Earth.

The moon will begin to rise after 6 p.m. Thursday and reach its highest position around midnight, with “99 percent illumination,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Ricky Castro.

This super moon is known as the ‘Hunter’s Moon’ and follows the Harvest Moon, the full moon that marks the end of the growing season. The name Hunter’s Moon refers to the hunting season that follows the fall harvest.

Castro recommends viewing the moon along the lakeshore for the most unobstructed view and minimal light pollution.

This year’s Harvest Moon in mid-September also coincided with a lunar eclipse.

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