The Moon will shine brighter on Saturday night (May 6 ), astrologists say. The phenomena, that the media has already called 'Super Moon', is actually scientifically called "Perigee Moon." The full Moon on that night will be seen as 14 percent bigger and a third brighter than usually.

The phenomena is not necessarily rare. The last such coincidence occurred on March 19 last year , producing a full Moon that was almost 400 km closer than this one.

„The Moon follows an elliptical path around Earth with one side ("perigee") about 50,000 km closer than the other ("apogee"). Full Moons that occur on the perigee side of the Moon's orbit seem extra big and bright,” according to Nasa Science.

Scientist say the best time to look is when the Moon is near the horizon. „The swollen orb rising in the east at sunset should seem super indeed,” according to science.nasa.gov. The maximum intensity will be at 11,34 on the East Coast in America, or 5,30 in the morning on Sunday in Romania.

Usually the perigee Moon also brings high tides, but so unusual tide activity has been confirmed. „In most places, lunar gravity at perigee pulls tide waters only a few centimetres (an inch or so) higher than usual,” according to specialists. More about it here.  An explanatory movie below. 

For those living in Bucharest who want to watch the Moon using professional instruments, we recommend the Astronomy Observatory (Lascar Catargiu 21, between Romana and Victoriei Squares), which is open between 19,00 and 22,00, the perfect time to watch the Moon rising. They also organize a planetarium presentation every Saturday evening from 19,00. Entry tickets are RON 5 (a bit over EUR 1).

editor@romania-insider.com