Around The Earth, That Moon Was Pretty Super

By Claire O'Neill

Published June 24, 2013 at 11:16 AM EDT

1 of 13 — West Bank, June 23

West Bank, June 23

2 of 13 — Taking photos on the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife, June 22

Taking photos on the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife, June 22

3 of 13 — The supermoon behind a refinery in Norco, La., June 23

The supermoon behind a refinery in Norco, La., June 23

4 of 13 — Rome, June 23

Rome, June 23

5 of 13 — The ancient Greek temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, south of Athens, June 23

The ancient Greek temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, south of Athens, June 23

6 of 13 — Spectators at a public garden in Lisbon, Portugal, June 23

Spectators at a public garden in Lisbon, Portugal, June 23

7 of 13 — A handout photo provided by Disney Parks of Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., June 23

A handout photo provided by Disney Parks of Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., June 23

8 of 13 — Fishing camps in Akers, La., June 23

Fishing camps in Akers, La., June 23

9 of 13 — Statue of Liberty, New York City, June 23

Statue of Liberty, New York City, June 23

10 of 13 — A cotton candy vendor at a Los Angeles Angels baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Anaheim, Calif., June 22

A cotton candy vendor at a Los Angeles Angels baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Anaheim, Calif., June 22

11 of 13 — Kansas City, Mo., June 23

Kansas City, Mo., June 23

12 of 13 — Ahi Celebi Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey, June 23

Ahi Celebi Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey, June 23

13 of 13 — Mexico City, July 23, 2013

Mexico City, July 23, 2013

As if "supermoon" isn't cool enough, the technical term for the moon when it's closest to the Earth is: perigee-syzygy.

It happens about once a year, and this year it fell on June 23, though the day prior wasn't bad, either. According to NASA, this year's supermoon was "14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon."

It's not easy to photograph with a smartphone, but that's what photographers with nice lenses are for.