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Updated 07 May, 2012 01:34pm

'Supermoon': Why Saturday's Full Moon was the Biggest of 2012

The biggest full moon of the year, a so-called "supermoon," rose into the night sky Saturday to the delight of skywatchers around the world, who captured the lunar sight in dazzling amateur astronomy photos.

Because of a fluke of orbital timing, the full moon of May peaked late Saturday just as the moon was passing its perigee, the closest point to Earth of its orbit. The result was the biggest full moon of the year, which NASA and other scientists nicknamed the supermoon of 2012.

The supermoon hit its peak at 08:34 p.m. PST (0334 GMT), when the moon reached its perigee and was about 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometers) from Earth at the time. One minute later, the full moon of May hit its peak, offering a dazzling lunar show for skywatchers with clear weather.

NASA officials predicted that the moon would appear up to 14 percent bigger than other full moons of 2012, and could shine 30 percent brighter because of the close pass. It was also expected to outshine much of the annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower, a "shooting star" display created each year when the Earth passes through a stream of dust from the famed Halley's comet.

The last time a supermoon occurred was on March 19, 2011, when the moon was about 248 miles (400 km) closer to Earth than it was on Saturday night. On average, theÂ Earth-moon distance is about 230,000 miles (384,400 km).

Photographers and skywatchers from across the world snapped a flood of photos of the supermoon. For many, it seemed like a chance to participate in a novel skywatching event, while others managed to capture stunning views of Earth's nearest neighbor.

Not everyone was lucky enough to have good weather during the supermoon of 2012.

Supermoon! Not only is it the biggest full moon of the year, it's super cool.Full Moons: They come around every month and light up the night.Lunar Eclipses: There's nothing more spectacular than a blood-red moon in Earth's shadow.Blue Moon: They're rare and amazing, if not actually blue.Solar Eclipses: The moon has the power to block out the sun!
Moon to eclipse sun on May 20

While the supermoon may be over, the moon's skywatching displays in May are not. On May 20, the moon will pass in front of the sun as viewed from Earth in a solar eclipse.

The best views of the May 20 annular solar eclipse will be along a 186-mile wide (300-km) track that stretches from East Asia, crosses the northern Pacific Ocean and ends in the western United States. A partial solar eclipse will be visible (weather permitting) to much of Asia, the Pacific region and about two-thirds of North America, NASA officials predict.

Warning: Never stare directly at the sun through binoculars or a telescope, or with the unaided eyes, during solar observing or solar eclipses. Severe eye damage can result. Only special solar filters should be used to ensure safe sun observing.

If you snapped an amazing photo of the supermoon of May, and would like to share it with aaj.tv for a story or gallery, send photos and comments to managing editor Bilal Khan at: khan.bilal@aaj.tv