Last supermoon of 2017 shines over the skies of Istanbul

ISTANBUL - DAILY SABAH

The last supermoon of 2017 was visible in Istanbul late Sunday, allowing people to get up to seven percent bigger and 15 percent brighter view of the moon.

Last supermoon of 2017 shines over the skies of Istanbul

The optical illusion created at the horizon made the moon look larger than it is, especially at moonrise.

Last supermoon of 2017 shines over the skies of Istanbul

Though the moon is always the same size, its elliptical orbit around earth brings it closer to the planet's surface at certain points in its path. When its perigee, or closest point, aligns with a full moon, sky watchers observe a supermoon effect.

Last supermoon of 2017 shines over the skies of Istanbul

Sunday night at its perigee, the moon was almost 50,000 kilometers closer than at its apogee, or farthest point.

Last supermoon of 2017 shines over the skies of Istanbul

This weekend's sighting is the first of a "supermoon trilogy," with the phenomenon recurring Jan. 1 and Jan. 31 of the new year, according to NASA.

Last supermoon of 2017 shines over the skies of Istanbul

Last year, the moon approached its closest since 1948, at a distance that won't be noted again until 2034.

Last supermoon of 2017 shines over the skies of Istanbul

The moon vacillates between 363,000 and 406,000 km in distance from earth. Its average distance is about 380,000 km.

Last supermoon of 2017 shines over the skies of Istanbul