Let Last Night's Supermoon Brighten Your Monday

When was the last time you took a good look at the night sky? Last Sunday was an exciting day for astronomy enthusiasts around the world, with the double whammy of the biggest supermoon of 2014 and the annual Perseid meteor shower.

If you're not a moon enthusiast, here's the scoop on the phenomenon: a supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to the Earth during its monthly orbit. If you want to get technical, the true astronomical term for a supermoon is a perigree full moon, but many prefer to refer to the event by its more exciting nickname. During a supermoon, the moon appears bigger and brighter than its typical full moon counterpart.

What makes the supermoon appear so big? NASA credits a phenomenon called the “moon illusion,” which occurs when the moon is near the horizon and can amplify the visual effects of a supermoon. NASA experts explain that “low hanging moons look unnaturally large when they beam through trees, buildings, and other foreground objects.”

The only thing better than watching the glorious supermoon is watching it in style. In recent years, restaurants, resorts, and clubs around the U.S. have turned the supermoon into a reason for celebration. Some of the most notable supermoon viewing parties this year: California’s Mammoth Mountain viewing party with a moonlight gondola ride, and Atlanta’s Sunset Cove supermoon party on the beach featuring live music and drink specials.

Whether you missed Sunday's supermoon or want to relive the glory of the closest supermoon in 2014, we've got you covered. Here are some of the best views of Sunday's supermoon from around the world, from Sweden and Greece to New York City and Las Vegas...

If you missed Sunday’s supermoon, don’t worry. The next 2014 supermoon will occur on Sept. 9.