Supermoon—Wonder Wedneday

It's WONDER Wednesday!

This week's WONDER is the supermoon, which appears TONIGHT! Up north, we're anticipating clear skies overnight with a great chance to take in this incredible phenomenon.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• What is a Supermoon?

  • A supermoon occurs when a full moon's orbit is close to the earth. And tonight, it's the closest supermoon of the year, which will make it appear larger and brighter than other full moons. Just how close is it? Try 222,089 miles from the earth!

• Keep an eye out.

  • The supermoon will rise in the southeast within the Sagitarrius constellation, just as the sun is setting. One hour after the moonrise, Saturn may be visible on the east/southeast horizon. Word to the wise: supermoons are known to cause high tides and high winds, so keep tabs on the weather if you're along the coast.

• Berry, buck, thunder, hay.

  • The Anishnaabe know this moon as the berry moon when the fruit is plentiful. Other indigenous peoples of North America may refer to it as the buck moon as July sees male deer regrowing antlers shed earlier in the year. Midwestern farmers may refer to it as the thunder moon or the hay moon because the month brings big storms and hay crops.

• What do YOU call it?

  • Gaze at the supermoon tonight. What does it make you think of? How does it make you feel? Come up with a name for it, all your own!