What Is a ‘Supermoon’ and Why Should You Care It’s Coming Out
This Weekend? [VIDEO] Amateur astronomers may want to dust off
their telescopes, because a massive full moon — aka a
“supermoon” — will arrive this weekend and it’ll be the year’s
biggest. The moon will become full on Saturday at 11:35 pm EDT
and orbit the Earth at a distance of only 221,802 miles, giving
amazing views of a gigantic, extra-bright moon. In fact,
skywatchers can look forward to a moon that’s about 16 percent
brighter than usual. But despite its extra-large appearance in
the sky, there’s no need to worry about the moon causing
disaster here on terra firma, according to experts. Scientists
don’t expect earthquakes or catastrophic tidal forces as a
result. To get the best view, check out the supermoon when it’s
close to the horizon. View the moon either just after it rises
or before it sets with an object (a tree or building, for
example) in the foreground. The resulting optical illusion will
make it seem even larger.