Along the lunar orbital path, the point of closest proximity is known as perigee, which is when the moon is, on average, 226,000 miles (363,300 kilometers) from Earth. When a full moon phase coincides with perigee, a supermoon event occurs.

Stargazers in the U.S. will be dazzled this week as the closest—and largest—supermoon of the year graces the skies.

This week, sky watchers get to experience the third in a series of four consecutive supermoons—a full moon that occurs near its closest point in its orbit of Earth. As you take in the splendor of Earth’s natural satellite,