Supermoon lights up weekend night

The biggest and brightest full moon of the year arrived Saturday night as our celestial neighbor passes closer to Earth than usual. The phenomenon, called supermoon, this year coincides with `Buddha Purnima'. (AP image)

Scientists said, the distance between the earth and the moon was 3,56,955 km on Saturday at 9.05 pm, the closest this year. Scientists said, the proximity made the moon appear about 14 percent bigger than it would if the moon were at its farthest distance. (AP image)

The last Supermoon, on March 19, 2011, was about 387 km closer than this year. Scientists said, next year's Supermoon will be a bit farther away than this year. On the other hand, on November 28 this year, the moon will be the farthest from the earth. The distance between the two will be 4,06,349 km. (AP image)

The Supermoon rises behind the San Francisco Coit Tower in San Francisco, US. (AP image)

The full moon rises behind the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion, south east of Athens, Greece, while tourists watch, on Saturday, May 5, 2012. (AP image)

The moon is seen over the landmark Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai, India, Saturday, May 5, 2012. (AP image)

The moon is seen above an arched structure at the country's seat of power South Block, in new Delhi, India, Saturday, May 5, 2012. (AP image)

Supermoon moon rises behind the Empire State Building in New York in this view from Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange, New Jersey. (AP image)