This weekend the Moon will be full, while making its closest approah to Earth in nearly 20years and will as a result appear 30% brighter than normal

This whe moon will make its closest approach to Earth in nearly 20 years on March 19, while also being full - called a "supermoon" by astrologers.

Sarah Symon assistant professor in the Integrated Science Program from McMaster's Uiversity says: "It's incredibly rare to have the moon reach its perigee (its closest orbital approach to Earth) while also full"

Many people have asked if this "Supermoon"have some effect on Earth and if it could be responsible for the Japan earthquake. "Of course people are going to speculate as to its effects. Earthquakes do happen and volcanoes are active during lunar perigee, but they also happen throughout the year, so no real correlation has yet been found." she replies

Ocean tides will be larger around the perigee, though not by much. "The most dramatic effect will simply be the sight of the moon, which will appear to be larger in the sky," the result of its being only slightly more than 350,000 kilometres away."

Quotes from McMasters University