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The brightest, largest full moon of the year will make its first appearance Saturday night. But how does it occur? And will you catch a glimpse? Find out.

Look up! First supermoon of 2015 to shine bright overnight


Daksha Rangan
Digital Reporter

Friday, August 28, 2015, 4:51 PM - The brightest, largest full moon of the year makes its first of three appearances Saturday night.

Known as a perigee full moon or “supermoon,” the lunar spectacle occurs when a full moon’s orbit is at its closest point to Earth, according to a report by NASA.


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”Perigee” is a term astronomers use when “any celestial body reaches its closest approach to earth,” the National Post reports. The moon reaches perigee approximately once every 27 days – but reaching perigee does not mean a supermoon will occur.

Supermoons coincide with two events: perigee and a full moon, something that only occurs three to four times per year, Earth Sky notes.

So who in Canada will catch Saturday’s supermoon?

Weather Network meteorologist Matt Grinter says the following areas are most likely to see this year’s most luminous moon:

  • Maritimes
  • Newfoundland
  • Winnipeg
  • Northwestern Ontario

These remaining areas have less-than probable chances of seeing the moon:

  • Southern Alberta
  • Southern Ontario
  • Southern Quebec
  • B.C. Coast & Interior

Do you think you'll capture a stellar shot of tonight's supermoon? Share your photos with the Weather Network to see them featured online and on TV.

SOURCES: The Weather Network | NASA | EarthSky | National Post

RELATED: Science Behind the Weather - Supermoons

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