The first supermoon of 2018 will appear on New Year’s Day – and it’s more special than usual

• On January 1, 2018, New Year’s Day, the wolf moon will also be the first supermoon of the year.
• Supermoons occur when a full moon coincides with the time that the moon is closest to Earth.
• They don’t necessarily appear all that different from regular full moons, but this one is special because it’s one of three happening in a row – and the super blue moon on January 31 will also coincide with a lunar eclipse.

New Year’s Eve often prompts people to gaze into the sky, whether it be for a fireworks display or simply to watch the big ball drop in Times Square, but the night of January 1st, 2018, will give you another reason to look up. In a happy coincidence, New Year’s Day will feature a supermoon, which will appear bigger and brighter than a typical full moon.

A supermoon is the term given to full moons which occur at the same time as the moon reaches its closest point to Earth in orbit. When that happens, the moon seems larger in the sky and also significantly brighter than it normally does. Only the most seasoned skywatchers would actually be able to notice the difference — supermoons are only around 7% to 14% brighter than normal, which is a relatively small increase — but it’s still a great opportunity for skywatchers to snap some photos and bask in the brighter-than-usual glow.

When can you see the supermoon?

The Wolf Moon will be at its peak at 9:24 p.m. EST. According to Time and Date, the moon will rise around 4:34 p.m. in the East-northeast corner of the sky. Since this moon is a supermoon, you won’t be able to miss it. It’s like when we get a food baby post-Christmas dinner, but are insanely content with the coma to come — the moon will be about 14 percent more bloated and about 30 percent more luminous. Quite the glow-up if you ask me.

When the moon becomes “super,” it simply means that it is closer to the Earth during its orbit. The planets and moon have orbits shaped something like an oval, and when the moon comes over the horizon line it’ll share the sky with the sun for just a bit before lighting up our world more than before.

Compared to 2016, when the year ended with three consecutive Supermoons in the months of October, November, and December — 2017 might feel a bit anticlimactic. However, December’s Supermoon will kick off a domino effect of its own: There are two more Supermoons on the way, both of which will occur in January 2018. There will be a full moon on New Year’s Day, and another at the very end of the month, on January 31. Because it is the

American Girl, NASA Come Together To Create An Aspiring Astronaut Doll

Aspiring Astronaut doll Luciana Vega is the top American Girl of 2018. American Girl is known for its series of dolls that define one or other character in life, and inspire young girls to find their place in the world. NASA is collaborating with a well-known doll and book company, American Girl, to inspire children to dream big and reach for the stars. The US space agency has partnered with American Girl to share the excitement of space with the public, and in particular, inspire young girls to learn about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

“It is so important to find exciting new ways to inspire our next generation of space explorers,” said Megan McArthur, NASA astronaut who serves on the project’s advisory board. “I always want to encourage girls and boys to pursue their dreams, no matter how big, and I think it helps to show how those dreams can become reality for any kid,” said McArthur.

The 18-inch doll’s elaborate story, written by Erin Teagan, will be available in a Scholastic chapter-book series that focuses on her winning a scholarship to attend Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. Children also can connect with the doll via the American Girl app, where they can scan the catalog pages and products “to unlock exclusive content, including augmented reality, trailers and videos, space simulations, quizzes and challenges,” the statement said.

Kids around the country can celebrate the new doll’s release at events hosted by stores nationwide. The debut events will feature interactive science demonstrations, galaxy-inspired treats and a free Luciana doll T-shirt, according to the company.

In addition to the 18-inch doll that will be sold in the store in catalog, there is also a three-book series about Luciana’s life that will be released next week.

Those stories detail more about the ‘natural born leader,’ and follow her as she wins a scholarship to space camp in Alabama.

‘Luciana is a role model for today’s girls — empowering them to defy stereotypes, embrace risks and failures, and chart their own course in life — whatever the goal,’ said American Girl president Katy Dickson.

Luciana fans will also be able to purchase ‘STEM-inspired outfits and accessories’ for their new doll. She follows in the footsteps of dancer and poet Gabriela McBride, who was the 2017 doll of the year.