By Ellalym de Vera-Ruiz

The biggest and brightest “supermoon” of 2020 is set to grace the skies on April 8.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the moon will reach its perigee or the point in the moon’s orbit nearest the Earth on Wednesday at 2:09 a.m.

The forthcoming full moon has the closest distance to Earth this year at 357,016.803 kilometers. It will appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than a regular full moon, thus the term “supermoon.”

However, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a 30 percent difference in brightness can easily be masked by clouds or the competing glare of urban lights.

PAGASA noted that the supermoon is actually a modern astrological term coined by Richard Nolle, defining it as “a new or full moon that occurs when the moon is within 90 percent of its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit.”

In astronomy, it is called a “perigee full moon,” or a full moon that is closer to Earth than average.

Earlier, the PAGASA said that a supermoon could trigger just a slightly higher-than-usual tides.

It explained that the supermoon has an effect on the height of tides but will be minimal just like usual waves and may not cause flooding.

When the moon is at perigee or closer to the earth, there is much more gravitational pull, which contributes higher tides or greater variation in the high and low tide.

Filipinos can view the supermoon from the comfort of their homes. It can be watched through naked eyes and best observed with clear skies.