Visible from California's coast through the desert city of Las Vegas and even on top of Colorado's mountainous region, the second installment of the supermoon trilogy that is taking place this summer, this Sunday Aug. 10 will take the record for the next two decades as the largest full moon of the quarter-Century. And to make things even better, the celestial event will be accompanied by the spectacular Perseids meteor shower (live streaming information provided below).
The so-called "extra-supermoon", which will mark the closest orbit the Moon with will have with the Earth in its full phase until 2034, will be a sight to memorialize says a team from NASA. Estimated to appear 16% larger and 30% brighter than normal at moonrise, the extra-supermoon is a rare occasion that will likely follow by a rash stream of photos and comments on social media, as the extra-large moon allows for optical illusions to take place.
With such vivid detail and bright contrast to the night sky, the event will be most noticeable at moonrise when a phenomenon known simply as the "moon illusion" will take place. A trick played on the mind, as a way to mitigate the sensory overload of the magnificent sight, the extra-supermoon will appear unbelievably large against the dark night sky.
"The '[moon] illusion' occurs when the Moon is near the horizon" a team from NASA says. "For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, low-hanging Moons look unnaturally large when they beam through trees, buildings and other foreground objects."
Live Stream Info. & Schedule
So, if you're looking for a magnificent view of the moon, keep in mind that a date-night in the city may be just what you're looking for. But if you're more inclined to be out in the elements, Saturday night will also provide an unbelievable night show.
The live online streaming of the Supermoon event will be provided by the Slooh Community Observatory on Sunday (Aug. 10) starting at 7:30 p.m. EDT (2330 GMT). Click here to view the live webcast.
Back to back with the extra-supermoon, Saturday night's events will feature the long-awaited Perseid meteor shower that will be bright and fast, leaving trails of light in the sky. A rare crowd favorite, known as one of the best meteor showers by NASA and public opinion polls, the Perseid shower will be a sight for sore eyes.
The live online streaming of the Perseids event will be provided by the Slooh Community Observatory as well on Sunday (Aug. 12) starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT). Click here to view the live webcast.
The Perseids, are a meteor shower that have been a common occurrence and well-documented for almost two millennia now. Associated with the comet "Swift-Tuttle", the shower is quite abundant in debris and lights up the sky, however is most visible in the Northern hemisphere because of the path of the comet. Researchers suggest that although the peak time may vary, the best time to see the showers is when the sky is its clearest, often just before sunrise.
But keep in mind that the next extra-supermoon won't arrive until 2034, so the decision won't be that easy.
As many local hotspots prepare for the weekend's events, keep in mind that while the lights will be spectacular in the hub of the city, light-pollution and skyscrapers may obstruct your view of the astrological landmarks. Whatever your choice, simply wait for the night and look to the skies this weekend, if you're looking for a memorable show.
Want to know the schedule of events? Here are the dates and times you'll need:
Saturday August 9 (Tonight): Perseid Showers begin and will be best visible after 12am, when the sky is at its darkest. The events will continue through Tuesday night, but with the Supermoon interfereing, tonight's show will be the brightest.
Sunday August 10 (Tomorrow): The Extra Supermoon will reach it's closest point to the Earth at 12:44pm CDT, and be at its fullest by 1:10pm CDT. Scientists suggest that the moon will be its brightest just before sunrise so optimal viewing would be achieved early Monday morning, August 11 before 6:02am CDT.
