Community Corner

Where's the Best Place to Catch the 'Supermoon?'

Astronomers say the moon will appear 16 percent larger than normal as the moon's orbit reaches perigee — the closest point to the Earth reached in its orbit.

Stargazers on the island are in for a treat — if the weather cooperates.

According to astronomers at Discovery.com, the moon will officially become full on Saturday (May 5) at 8:35 p.m. PDT. And because this month's full moon coincides with the moon's perigee—its closest approach to Earth—it will also be the year's biggest.

The lunar orbit is not a perfect circle, so the moon's distance from the earth varies with each revolution. The moon's average distance from Earth is 237,700 miles (382,500 km), but this week the moon will come within 221,802 miles from Earth, causing higher- and lower-than-normal tides in the Puget Sound.

Find out what's happening in Sammamish-Issaquahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The "Super Moon" might be mostly obscured by clouds and rain for much of this week, with National Weather Service forecasters predicting mostly cloudy conditions at night. But Sunday's forecast calls for sunshine during the day high near 66, and a partly cloudy evening, with a low around 46.


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