Supermoon 2014

People around the world this weekend looked up at the sky to view a lunar phenomenon: the supermoon. Known to scientists as a perigee moon, Earth's neighbor appears at its largest and brightest compared to other full moons when it orbits closer to our planet. It can even be seen during the daytime.

To read more, visit AP's Big Story. 

Spain Supermoon

People gather in the park as a perigee moon, also known as a supermoon, rises in Madrid, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

APTOPIX China Supermoon

The super moon rises over a Chinese words reads "China construction" in Beijing, China Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a perigee moon, occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

APTOPIX Greece Supermoon

People watch the super moon rising in the sky in front of the Apollo's temple at ancient Corinth about 80 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of Athens, on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Ukraine Supermoon

The supermoon rises through the clouds behind the "Motherland" statue, part of the WWII memorial complex, in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Osman Karimov)

Washington Supermoon

The supermoon is seen as it rises through the clouds behind the bronze Statue of Freedom by Thomas Crawford atop the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014, in Washington. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Super Moon

Climbing vines are silhouetted by the supermoon above Edgartown, Mass., Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014, on the island of Martha's Vineyard. President Barack Obama and his family are vacationing on the island. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

South Dakota Supermoon

People watch a laser and light show on the Crazy Horse Memorial, left, under a supermoon, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014, in Custer, S.D. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Poland Supermoon

A supermoon rises above a Jesus Christ statue in front of the Holy Cross church in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)

Macedonia Supermoon

Children enjoy a ride on a carrousel, as a perigee moon also known as a supermoon rises above, in Skopje, Macedonia, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon in its elliptical orbit is relatively close to Earth and seen from the Earth near the horizon, appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Spain Supermoon

A couple talk as they sit against the perigee moon, also known as a supermoon, in Madrid, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

APTOPIX Austria Supermoon

The full moon peeks through trees in a wood near Rasing, Austria, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

APTOPIX Spain Supermoon

The moon appears behind a Spanish fighting bull in Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a perigee moon, occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

APTOPIX Spain Supermoon

A girl plays with a dog as a perigee moon, also known as a supermoon, rises in Madrid, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a perigee moon, occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Spain Daily Life

The sun sets as a couple lay in the park waiting for a perigee moon, also known as a supermoon, to appear in Madrid, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Opening text from the AP story, LUNAR SHOW ILLUMINATES WORLD'S SKIES. To license this story or other AP news, contact us.

Lead Image Caption: A man walks against the perigee moon, also known as a supermoon, in Madrid, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

AP Images is the world’s largest collection of historical and contemporary photos. AP Images provides instant access to AP’s iconic photos and adds new content every minute of every day from every corner of the world, making it an essential source of photos and graphics for professional image buyers and commercial customers. Whether your needs are for editorial, commercial, or personal use, AP Images has the content and the expert sales team to fulfill your image requirements. Visit apimages.com to learn more.

AP Images on Twitter | AP Images on Facebook | AP Images on Google+