(Radio Iowa) – When the full moon rises over Iowa next Monday night, it’ll be the first of what may end up being three “supermoons” in each of the next three months. University of Iowa astronomy professor Casey DeRoo says a supermoon occurs when the moon is closer to the earth in its orbit, making our natural satellite look larger than normal. Next week’s supermoon will appear about five-percent larger, and since it’s closer to us, it’ll be brighter, too.

DeRoo teaches the U-I’s general education course in astronomy for non-majors, and he says if you’d like to start moon gazing, you don’t need a fancy telescope, just using your eyes or even binoculars will offer a spectacular view.