Super Duper Moon...

Tonight, a rarity will fill the sky.

For the first time since March of 1993, the full moon rising from the east will be a perigee full moon, or “super moon.” What that means, according to NASA, is that the lunar orbit is much closer to the Earth than usual.

The last time the moon’s slow spin brought it so near to us was 18 years ago. It’s not expected to happen again until 2029.

NASA says the moon will appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter. But the key to getting the most out of this celestial event lies in looking to the sky at the right time.

Peer at the moon as it rises over the horizon and it will likely appear “absolutely enormous,” says NASA.

It’s long been lore to blame a full moon for misfortune, and there’s plenty of Internet speculation – some by actual scientists -- that this weekend’s “super moon” triggered last week’s mega-earthquake and tsunami that crushed the coast of Japan.

Though the catastrophic 9.0 quake was so powerful it shifted the Earth’s axis 6.5 inches, moved Japan’s coast eight feet and slightly shortened the length of our planet’s day, NASA says the super moon had absolutely nothing to do with it. There are myths out there that suggest the full moon, and especially the Super Moon affect the human body as well...  Yet those are just folklore...  Or are they?

This full moon will, however, bring higher "high tides" to the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and other local rivers.

The National Weather Service says tonight’s weather should be just fine for viewing the rare super moon. Temperatures will be a bit chillier than last night, but bearable and the only clouds in the sky, here in Virginia, will be high and thin.

It should be a beautiful sight, let me know if anyone catches any Super Duper Snapshots!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA