A RECORD-BREAKING supermoon is set to adorn the night sky on Monday - but for Scots it might not be so super.
That's because weather forecasters are predicting a lot of cloud which could mask the spectacular astrological sight in much of the country.
The Monday supermoon was expected to be especially 'super' because it's the closest full moon to Earth since 1948, and it is expected we won't see another like this until 2034.
The phenomenon occurs when the moon becomes full at the same time its orbit is closest to the Earth, known as perigee.
Prof John Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, said that if it is clear the moon would appear 15 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than an average full moon.
It was not until 1979 that Astrologer Richard Nolle first defined the supermoon, now a widely-used term, as a new or full moon which occurs with the moon at or near 90% of its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit.
It had been thought that stargazers in Scotland could be the ideal location to view the special event with areas with the least light pollution providing a natural view of the night sky.
But clouds or haze can significantly obscure supermoons, so clear skies are jet to view the celestial marvels.
Viridian Skies is running a Supermoon Stargazing evening at Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre in the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park on Monday.
But Jesse Beaman, a Dark Sky Ranger as well as co-owner of Viridian Skies, which specialises in astrophotography and stargazing holidays in Dumfries and Galloway, admits the Scottish weather could be a damp squib.
"The weather isn't looking great to be honest. As always stargazers and photographers are at the cruel mercy of the Scottish weather! However, persevering can have it's rewards - if we didn't we'd never see anything at all!
"Despite the forecast I would encourage any enthusiast to have a look. The effect of the supermoon will be most exaggerated when it sets and when it rises.
"This is because, due to the moon illusion, the full moon appears larger to us when it's close to the horizon. With the supermoon, this effect will be amplified."
He said stargazers should look west on Monday morning from 6:00am to catch the moon setting, and east on Monday evening from 4.50pm to catch it rising.
"The weather might well dampen this event, but all is not lost. There will be another supermoon on December the 14th 2016. And there are many other celestial events including meteor showers and comets to look forward to before the year is out."
Prof Brown said: "A wee touch of high mist can dim things. Having said that, the winter full moon is pretty high in the sky so very prominent and if it's a clear night well worth a look.
"People will think, 'wow', even if only because they hardly ever look at the moon and sky.
"I suggest people use binoculars, even a wee cheap pair, which will show the craters easily, few realise that.
According to NASA, this month's supermoon "becomes full within about two hours of perigee, arguably making it an extra-super moon."
Mike Alexander of the Galloway Astronomy Centre said while the weather will put a dampener on the big day, an effect of the moon's closeness will be noticeable on the sea producing both the highest and lowest tides of the year on Tuesday.
The moon will become full at 1.52pm GMT Monday meaning Scots, in theory, would have the best chance of spotting the supermoon later that night.
The astronomical community prefers to name the phenomenon perigee-syzygy, or perigee moon.
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