Year’s Biggest Full Moon Can be Seen Tonight

Tonight, the biggest and brightest full moon of the year will rise in the east, illuminating the night sky.

This particular full moon, compared to others this year, will be the brightest because of the moon’s location in relation to Earth; each month, just like the way the moon waxes and wanes from full moon to new moon, the moon’s elliptical orbit brings it close to the earth and farther away. When it is closest, it is said to be at perigee, and when it is furthest away, it is said to be at apogee.

Though this cycle is a monthly occurrence, the cycle rarely coincides with that of the full moon. However, this month’s moon cycle, called the Wolf Moon by Native Americans, will see the perigee and the full moon occur on the same night, or, to be specific, at 4:04 A.M. EST. This combination of perigee and the full moon will create an incredibly and beautifully bright full moon that will cover a vast amount of the night sky. But as if that wasn’t enough, Mars will also be visible tonight, and as it is at opposition with the sun, the reflection of the sun off of Mars will give the glow of the moon a reddish tinge.

For stargazers and those who appreciate the beauty of the night sky, tonight is the night to view the moon.