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The full moon tonight will be a "Super Moon", meaning it is a full moon when the moon is closest to earth.

(NASA)

Tonight we will have a full moon. But it's not just any full moon. The full moon has two special characteristics. It's technically happening just after midnight - on Friday the 13th. The full moon is also what astronomers call a "Super Moon."

The full moon on Friday the 13th is a rarity. According to David DeBruyn, emeritus director for the Chaffee Planetarium in Grand Rapids, a full moon on Friday the 13th hasn't happened since October 2000. He also says the next full moon on Friday the 13th won't occur until August 2049.

Not only is the full moon on a superstitious date, it is also called a "Super Moon." A Super Moon occurs at the time in the moon's orbit around the earth when the moon is closest to Earth.

So not only will the moon be full, it will also look slightly larger. But DeBruyn says the neat thing about this full moon at this time of year is the moon stays low on horizon. The moon low on the horizon, with trees and land as a reference, actually makes the moon look bigger. DeBruyn advises that the moon is the same size low on the horizon and high in the sky. It just looks bigger near the horizon.

The other nice part of this sky event is you don't have to wake up at an odd hour of the night to see it. The full moon will look the same Friday and Saturday night.

Will we be able to see it?

Tonight the clouds will be patchy, with the moon shining through. Saturday night should be spectacular, with entirely clear skies.

So enjoy the Super Moon, and watch out for crazy things happening on the 13th.

Do you believe a full moon has any effect on people? What about Friday the 13th? Post your comments below.

MLive Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa has been forecasting Michigan weather for more than 20 years. He's been chief meteorologist at three television news stations in Michigan, and he's an avid gardener and hunter. Email him at mark@farmerweather.com and find him on Facebook at facebook.com/mark.torregrossa and Twitter @weathermanmark