There's a supermoon on the rise
THERE'S a supermoon rising and a lunar show of massive proportions to play out over the coastline this weekend.
The full moon coincides with the moon's perigee - its closest approach to Earth - making it the largest moon seen in 18 years.
NASA lunar experts say it will be extra big and extra bright as it swings in 356,955 kilometres from our planet.
This perigee full moon will be the nearest to Earth of any this year making the moon as much as 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons of 2012.
The supermoon will amplify tides, with the high around the two-metre mark likely to lead to damaging coastal erosion.
Sky watchers are advised the best time to view the supermoon Saturday and Sunday is to catch a view just after it rises and before it sets.
An optical illusion plays out when it is viewed behind buildings or trees, making the moon seem even larger.
