According to Space.com, the biggest full moon of the year is expected to happen tonight.
The moon will get within 221,802 miles of Earth, with the moon becoming full at 11:35 p.m. EDT Saturday night.
The moon is said to be extra big and extra bright, earning it the name “supermoon.”
“In most places, lunar gravity at perigee pulls tide waters only a few centimeters (an inch or so) higher than usual,” astronomer Tony Phillips wrote in a NASA supermoon alert. “Local geography can amplify the effect to about 15 centimeters (6 inches) ” not exactly a great flood.”
“Ideal viewing conditions are clear skies away from city lights, especially just before dawn,” NASA officials wrote in an Eta Aquarid meteor observing guide. ” Find an area well away from city or street lights. Lie flat on your back on a blanket, lawn chair or sleeping bag and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors. Be patient ” the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.”
An asteroid shower will also be accompanying the supermoon, so expect lots of shooting stars. It will be a magical night.
Truckers, tonight would be a great night to shoot some pictures of the moon. If you do, please share them with us on our facebook page, or email them to us at [email protected].
The last supermoon took place in March 2011.