Saturday May 5 around 11:35 P.M. EDT. will mark the 2012 occurrence of a supermoon. A supermoon is when the moon is the closest to earth in its orbit. This year the moon will be 221,802 miles away from earth. This is called the moon’s perigee, or point nearest to the object it is orbiting. This difference in distance throughout the year happens because the moon’s orbit is not completely circular. This year’s supermoon is predicted to be 16 percent bigger than normal and is best seen right as it rises or right as it sets. The last time a supermoon appeared was March 11, 2011. The closeness of the moon, however, is not a risk factor for earthquakes scientists say since it is only 3 percent closer than on average. It will, however, increase the high tides and low tides respectively. There will be about 42 percent higher and lower tides than its opposite, apogee. The moon’s apogee is when it is farthest away from Earth. The apogee will happen later this year on November 28. To keep the viewing at its best look for it when it is by the horizon and there you can catch a view of it with buildings or trees. The objects in front of the moon will create an optical illusion and make the moon look bigger than it really is.