This Weekend: View a Supermoon

By Sonia Su

If the moon looks closer and brighter than usual this weekend, it is.

The moon will appear about 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than a typical full moon, NASA scientist Dr. Michelle Thaller told ABC 7 News.

"The moon will be closer to the earth than at any other time during the year," according to NASA. "In fact, the upcoming supermoon will be the closest encounter between the earth and the moon until August 2014."

When's the best time to view the moon? Sunday, June 23 at 7:32 a.m., when the moon will be at its closest distance to earth, in what is called a lunar perigee.

"But because it will be peaking in the early morning hours, both 22 June and 23 June will put on similar shows. So either day will be a good opportunity to see the larger-and-brighter-than-normal supermoon," according to NASA.

And there's nothing to fear, NASA says.

"The effects on earth from a supermoon are minor, and according to the most detailed studies by terrestrial seismologists and volcanologists, the combination of the moon being at its closest to earth in its orbit, and being in its 'full moon' configuration (relative to the earth and sun), should not affect the internal energy balance of the earth since there are lunar tides every day," according to NASA.

So make sure you take some photos of your view of the moon this weekend, and upload them to this post. We can't wait to see them!

Can't go outdoors and see the moon for some reason? Get a close-up view on the live webcast via the Slooh Space Camera.

Check out more supermoon facts with OpticsCentral's graphic.