Design

The Supermoon, as Seen From Cities Around the World

This was the largest and brightest the moon will look until August 2014.

Most times, taking good astronomy photos means driving far away from any city's wash of light pollution. Thankfully, that wasn't the case with this weekend's "Supermoon." The earth's little space-buddy was beaming so bright and big it almost looked like you could light a fat cigar on it.

A "Supermoon" is one that reaches its full phase at its closest point to earth (the moon, that incorrigible tease, is constantly approaching and retreating from our planet). The term was popularized by astrologer Richard Nolle, who's tied the interesting cosmic alignment and slightly increased gravitational pulls of supermoons to outbreaks of earthquakes, tsunamis and severe storms – although the evidence suggests there's little to no connection at all.