Another 'super moon' will fill Saturday's night sky

For the second time in little more than a year, 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 orb is much closer to the Earth than usual.

NASA says on Saturday night, the moon will appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter. But, as with the last super moon in March 2011, 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 enormous, especially if seen behind objects in the foreground, says NASA.

"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," NASA writes. "On May 5, this 'moon illusion' will amplify a full moon that's extra-big to begin with."

It's long been lore to blame a full moon for misfortune, accidents, crime and chaos. It's where the word "lunacy" comes from after all. Last year, speculation was wild on whether the perigee moon had something to do with the magnitude 9.0 earthquake that crushed the coast ofJapanthe week before.

NASA says the super moon had nothing to do with theJapanearthquake and tsunami. Saturday's full moon will, however, bring higher high tides to the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay andPotomac River.

Ready For Some Big Magnitude EARTHQUAKE 9.0 +