If the weather holds up, keep an eye on the moon Saturday night.
You’ll be seeing the first of three supermoons in a row, which will occur in Hawaii on the nights of August 29, September 27, and October 27.
According to the Bishop Museum, the moon is officially full at 6:26 p.m. on the night of August 29, just 30 minutes before the moon rises that night around 7 p.m.
The scientific name for the phenomenon is called “perigee moon,” which refers to the path the moon follows around Earth.
Because of this path, the moon will be a little closer to earth on this night than average for a full moon. This means the moon will appear to be a little bigger than the norm.
While the moon can be somewhat bigger and brighter due to its proximity, don’t expect an earth-shattering visual. Brightness can easily be masked by clouds and haze, scientists say.
What may be more impressive is a supermoon that’s close to the horizon.
Also known as a “moon illusion,” low-hanging moons can look unnaturally large and should be even larger during a supermoon. NASA says scientists and psychologists can’t explain exactly how or why the illusion occurs.
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