The Supermoon As Seen From Points Across The Globe
/ CBS News
The full moon rises behind a statue of the ancient goddess Athena in Athens on May 6, 2012. (credit: ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/GettyImages)
Supermoon Over Germany
Almost full moon has risen behind the cross of the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Dresden, eastern Germany, on May 4, 2012. The lunar phase of full moon always occurs in an interval of about 29 or 30 days, when the sun is on the opposite side of the Earth from the moon. (credit: ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/GettyImages)
Supermoon Over Mumbai
A full moon is seen partially covered by clouds in Mumbai on May 5, 2012. The lunar phase of full moon always occurs in an interval of about 29 or 30 days, when the sun is on the opposite side of the Earth from the moon. (credit: PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/GettyImages)
Supermoon Over Mumbai
A full moon is seen through tree branches in Mumbai on May 5, 2012. The lunar phase of full moon always occurs in an interval of about 29 or 30 days, when the sun is on the opposite side of the Earth from the moon. (credit: PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/GettyImages)
The Supermoon At Cape Sounion
Tourists look at the moon rising over the ancient temple of Poseidon at cape Sounion, some 60 kms south of Athens, on May 5, 2012. (credit: ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/GettyImages)
The Supermoon Over Chevy Chase, Maryland
The biggest and brightest moon of the year is due to the moon being at its closest point to the earth during its orbit. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN
The Supermoon Over Mexico City
The "supermoon" is seen from Mexico city on 05 May 2012. The full moon on this day, the biggest of the year, is at 352.947 Kms, the shortest distance to earth in the year. (credit: OMAR TORRES/AFP/GettyImages)
LAPD Chopper Supermoon
The Supermoon lines up much closely with perigee -- the moon's closest point to Earth. The 2012 May full moon falls some six minutes after perigee, the moon's closest point to Earth for this month. At perigee, the moon lies only 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometers ) away. Later this month, on May 19, the moon will swing out to apogee -- its farthest point for the month -- at 252,555 miles (406,448 kilometers) distant. (credit: JOE KLAMAR/AFP/GettyImages)
Supermoon Over Los Angeles, California
The Supermoon lines up much closely with perigee -- the moon's closest point to Earth. The 2012 May full moon falls some six minutes after perigee, the moon's closest point to Earth for this month. At perigee, the moon lies only 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometers ) away. Later this month, on May 19, the moon will swing out to apogee -- its farthest point for the month -- at 252,555 miles (406,448 kilometers) distant. (credit: JOE KLAMAR/AFP/GettyImages)
Supermoon Over Los Angeles, California
A palm tree foregrounds Super Moon in Los Angeles,California on May 05, 2012. Tonight's moon is set to appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter from our perspective on Earth. The Supermoon lines up much closely with perigee -- the moon's closest point to Earth. The 2012 May full moon falls some six minutes after perigee, the moon's closest point to Earth for this month. At perigee, the moon lies only 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometers ) away. Later this month, on May 19, the moon will swing out to apogee -- its farthest point for the month -- at 252,555 miles (406,448 kilometers) distant. (credit: JOE KLAMAR/AFP/GettyImages)
Supermoon Near Palm Springs, California
PALM SPRINGS, CA - MAY 5: A perigee moon, or supermoon, rises behind wind turbines on May 5, 2012 near Palm Springs, California. The moon appears especially big and bright during this once-a-year cosmic event as the full moon is at its closest to the Earth in its elliptical orbit. The perigee side of its orbit is about 31,000 miles closer than the opposite, or apogee, side. The bright light of the full moon also hides all but the brightest meteors of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, the remnant debris trail of Halley's Comet. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Supermoon Seen Over Sydney
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 06: A full moon is seen rising over the Pacific Ocean on May 6, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. The full moon known as a "Super Moon" occurs annually when the moon is at it's fullest and its closest distance to earth in it's orbit. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)