Sky gazers can look forward to 3 summer supermoons

Last June, a full moon called a "supermoon" thanks to its size and brilliance made headlines across the world because it was 14 per cent largerand 30 per centbrighter than other full moons that lit up the sky in 2013.

This summer, sky gazers who marvelled at last summer's super moon are in luck because all three full moons of summer 2014occurring on July 12th, August 10th, and Sept. 9th will be supermoons.

According to NASA,"perigee moon" is the scientific term for a super moon. It means the moon is at the point in its orbit that brings it closer to Earth.

Over the next few months, all of the full moons that occur, will occur on the perigee side of the moon's orbit,making them appearextra big and bright.

In Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan's Observatory will be open to the public for free on Saturday, July 12 at 10 p.m.

Other things to watch for in the sky

Stan Shadick, who teaches astronomy at the University of Saskatchewan,said Friday that therewill also be other thingsfor people to see in the sky on Saturday night.

"People will see that although the moon is much brighter, there are other objects that are much more interesting, like especially Saturn. And they can also take a look at some star clusters," Shadicksaid.

Increased chance of flooding

Shadickalso explained that when aperigee moon occurs there is always an increased potential for localized flooding in coastal communities.

"Whenever high tide occurs, that high tide will be higher than the normal high tide in the month,"Shadicksaid. "Normally coastal areas take that into account so that is not a problem, unless it's particularly stormy."