Last-Minute Plans for Super Moon 2012

We don’t get a mere full moon tonight in Northeast Cobb; we get a Super Moon.

It’s like your average full moon but looks 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter.

The key is that the moon will reach perigee, its closest approach to Earth all year, at 11:35 p.m., just a minute after it goes full, the moment when Earth, moon and sun are in perfect alignment.

The moon will be only 221,802 miles away at that point.

The moon will look even bigger, however, at moonrise and moonset, thanks to the “moon illusion,” 11Alive reports.

Moonrise for Atlanta is at 8:14 p.m.; moonset will be at 6:06 a.m., according to timeanddate.com. Given that we’re a little west of the city, you might add a minute to those times.

Just pray for no rain so we get a clear view, and if you get some great Super Moon photos, show them off by posting them on Northeast Cobb Patch. Just click on “Add Photos and Videos.”

The only way this would be even more fun: if it had happened Friday on Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with you).