Biggest full moon of 2012 set to appear on May 6

The moon will swing in 221,802 miles from our planet,offering skywatchers a spectacular view.

The moon is set to get a lot bigger and brighter than average this weekend as it officially becomes full on Sunday (May 6) at 9.05 pm. EDT.

And since this months full moon coincides with the moons perigee its closest approach to Earth it will also be the years biggest.

The moon will swing in 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometres) from our planet,offering skywatchers a spectacular view of an extra-big,extra-bright moon,nicknamed a supermoon,the Discovery News reported.

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According to meteorologist Joe Rao,besides moons perigee coinciding with full moon this month,this perigee will be the nearest to Earth of any this year,as the distance of the moons close approach differs by about 3 per cent.

This occurs because the moons orbit is not perfectly circular.

This months full moon is due to be nearly 16 per cent brighter than average. Conversely,later this year on Nov. 28,the full moon will coincide with apogee,the moons farthest approach,offering a especially small and dim full moon.

Though the rare appearance of this months full moon may be surprising to some,theres no reason for alarm,scientists cautioned.

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The slight distance variation is not enough to cause any earthquakes or extreme tidal effects,experts asserted.

However,the normal tides around the world will be mostly high and low. At perigee,the moon will exert about 42 per cent more tidal force than it will during its next apogee two weeks later,Rao added.

The last supermoon appeared in March 2011.