Biggest Supermoon of 2012 due Sunday

Filipinos can expect the moon to appear at its largest Sunday, as it becomes full and reaches its closest point to Earth. The moon will appear as a giant ball in the sky during this time, according to a report on dzBB radio early Saturday.

But the report said the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) sought to allay fears the supermoon may cause calamities, saying there is no evidence to back such fears. A separate article on Space.com said the moon will officially become full at 11:35 p.m. EDT Saturday (11:35 a.m. in Manila). "The moon will swing in 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometers) from our planet, offering skywatchers a spectacular view of an extra-big, extra-bright moon, nicknamed a supermoon," it said. It added this month's perigee is the closest of any perigee in 2012 – perigees vary by about three percent since the moon's orbit is not perfectly circular. "The result will be a 16 percent brighter-than-average full moon accompanied by unusually high and low tides this weekend and into the new week," Space.com said. — LBG, GMA News