The “supermoon” phenomenon has appeared this weekend, on July 12.

The phenomenon known as the “perigee supermoon” is when the moon appears larger and brighter in the sky owing to its elliptical orbit of Earth.

The perigee supermoon is when the moon appears larger and brighter in the sky owing to its elliptical orbit of Earth (photo Getty Images)

Saturday night marked the first of three supermoons expected in as many months. The next and closest supermoon of 2014 will be on August 10.

The larger and brighter appearance of the Moon is caused by the oval shape of the Moon’s orbit of the Earth.

According to NASA, a full Moon at perigee is up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than one at its farthest point, or apogee.

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