The ‘supermoon’ has arrived!
A photo of the full moon from Las Vegas. (Photo Courtesy of Raj Tumber)
A photo of the full moon on Saturday from Las Vegas. (Photo Courtesy of Raj Tumber)
A photo of the full moon on Saturday from Las Vegas. (Photo Courtesy of Raj Tumber)
View of the National Stadium with moonrise after the third place finish World Cup match between Brazil and the Netherlands, outside the National Stadium in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday, July 12, 2014. Because the moon is relatively close to Earth, the full moon today will appear to be unusually large. The full moon Saturday may seem huge, but it's just an illusion caused by its position in the sky. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
An early morning view of an full moon at Chiantla, in the northern Cuchumatanes mountains of Guatemala, Saturday, July 12, 2014. Because the moon is relatively close to Earth, the full moon today will appear to be unusually large. That distance varies because the moon follows an elliptical orbit. The full moon Saturday may seem huge, but it's just an illusion caused by its position in the sky. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
A perigee moon also known as a supermoon rises above Dojran Lake in southeastern Macedonia, Saturday, July 12, 2014. The phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon in its elliptical orbit is relatively close to Earth and seen from the Earth near the horizon, appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
The full moon peeks through the clouds over forest near Sarajevo,Bosnia, Saturday, July 12, 2014. The so-called super moon appeared up to 14 percent larger than normal as it's orbit is at it's closest point to earth.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)
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Look! Up in the sky! It’s supermoon!
Because our celestial neighbor is relatively close to Earth, these full moons will appear to be unusually large. That distance varies because the moon follows an elliptical orbit. When it’s close and full, it appears bigger and brighter than normal, although the difference can be hard to detect.
The full moon Saturday may seem huge, but it’s just an illusion caused by its position in the sky.
Two other supermoons will come later this summer on Aug. 10 and Sept. 9.
Check out these supermoons from around the world:
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Online:
NASA on supermoons: http://1.usa.gov/1jxZkPt
Follow AP photographers on Twitter: http://apne.ws/XZy6ny
