Photos: Supermoon casts its brilliant glow over Earth

A jet plane leaving Miami International Airport.
A jet plane leaving Miami International Airport.
Image: AP / Wilfredo Lee
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This weekend’s full moon coincided with its closest approach to Earth, a phenomenon known colloquially as a “supermoon.” (In astronomical circles, it’s called a perigee-syzygy moon.)

The supermoon is larger and brighter than an average moon, though the difference isn’t enormous. Many people, in any event, use it as an occasion to dwell on Earth’s only natural satellite. Sri Lankans also mark the supermoon by celebrating the introduction of Buddhism to the country, from India, in 250 BC.

The temple of Poseidon, ancient Greek god of the seas, in Cape Sounion, Greece.
The temple of Poseidon, ancient Greek god of the seas, in Cape Sounion, Greece.
Image: Reuters / Yannis Behrakis
People ride the Luna Park Swing Ride as the Super Moon rises on Coney Island, June 22, 2013. The largest full moon of the year called the "super moon" will light up the night sky this weekend. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX10XOP
The Luna Park Swing Ride Coney Island in New York City.
Image: Reuters / Carlo Allegri
The larger-than-normal full moon referred to as Supermoon is seen setting beyond a refinery in Norco, La., Sunday, June 23, 2013. The larger than normal moon called the "Supermoon" happens only once this year as the moon on its elliptical orbit is at its closest point to earth and is 13.5 percent larger than usual. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
An oil refinery in Norco, Louisiana.
Image: AP / Gerald Herbert
Tourists walk on the elevated skywalk of the Supertrees Grove as the "super moon" rises at the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore at dusk, June 23, 2013. The largest full moon of the year, called the "super moon," will light up the night sky this weekend. REUTERS/Tim Chong (SINGAPORE - Tags: ENVIRONMENT TRAVEL SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX10Y3B
An elevated skywalk at Supertrees Grove in Singapore.
Image: Reuters / Tim Chong
A full moon rises behind the Jefferson Memorial in Washington Saturday, June 22, 2013. The larger than normal moon called the "Supermoon" happens only once this year as the moon on its elliptical orbit is at its closest point to earth. (AP Photo/J. David Ake)
The Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC.
Image: AP / J. David Ake
Flames burning a palm oil plantation light up the area as the moon shines in the sky in haze-hit Bangko Pusako district in Rokan Hilir, Indonesia's Riau province, June 22, 2013. Air quality in Singapore improved significantly to "moderate" pollution levels on Saturday, as Indonesian planes waterbombed raging forest fires and investigators scrambled to determine the cause of one of Southeast Asia's worst air pollution crises. REUTERS/Beawiharta (INDONESIA - Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT HEALTH POLITICS) - RTX10X14
Fire rages at a palm oil plantation in Indonesia’s Riau province.
Image: Reuters / Beawiharta
Buddhists offers prayers for Poson full moon day in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Buddhists offers prayers for Poson full moon day in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Image: AP / Eranga Jayawardena
A "supermoon" rises over Table Rock and the lighted cross near Boise, Idaho, Saturday night, June 22, 2013. The larger than normal moon called the "Supermoon" happens only once this year as the moon on its elliptical orbit is at its closest point to earth and appears 13.5 percent larger than usual. (AP Photo/The Idaho Statesman, Kyle Green) LOCAL TV OUT (KTVB 7)
Table Rock near Boise, Idaho.
Image: AP / The Idaho Statesman, Kyle Green
The nearly completed One World Trade Center in New York City.
The nearly completed One World Trade Center in New York City.
Image: AP / Julio Cortez
The larger-than-normal full moon referred to as Supermoon is seen setting beyond fishing camps in Akers, La., Sunday, June 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Fishing camps in Akers, Louisiana.
Image: AP / Gerald Herbert
Roadside plants in Prattville, Alabama.
Roadside plants in Prattville, Alabama.
Image: AP / Dave Martin
Sculpture of the Colonnade overlooking St. Peter's Square in Rome.
Sculpture of the Colonnade overlooking St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
Image: Getty Images / Franco Origlia
A father and his son watch the moon rise over the skyline of New York from a lookout in Weekhawken, New Jersey, June 21, 2013. On Saturday a perigee moon will coincide with a full moon creating a "super moon" when it will pass by the earth at its closest point in 2013. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn (UNITED STATES - Tags: CITYSCAPE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENT) - RTX10WOF
The Manhattan skyline as seen from Weekhawken, New Jersey.
Image: Reuters / Gary Hershorn
Fishermen are illuminated by the full moon as they prepare to cast their nets near the village of Teaorereke on South Tarawa in the central Pacific island nation of Kiribati May 25, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (KIRIBATI - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY POLITICS) - RTX10NEU
Fishing near Teaorereke on South Tarawa in the central Pacific island nation of Kiribati.
Image: Reuters / David Gray