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Supermoon in Kent: Here's when you can see worm moon in county

14:35, 09 March 2020

updated: 19:57, 09 March 2020

The first full supermooon of 2020 will illuminate the skies over Kent this evening.

The worm moon - so called because it coincides with the time of year earthworms surface after winter - will be visible from 5.47pm, weather-dependent.

The supermoon on August 10, 2014
The supermoon on August 10, 2014

Supermoons can appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter in the sky due to its proximity to earth but this one will be more like 7% and 15%.

It will rise in the east after sunset and set in the west just after 7am.

Last month saw the first partial 'snow' supermoon of the celestial calendar while April 8 will see the year's largest full supermoon, known as a pink moon.

May 7 will then see a flower moon light up the heavens.

Tonight's is the second biggest of the three taking place in 2020.

A supermoon is defined as one which passes within 90% of the heavenly body's closest approach to earth.

It is also known as a sap, crow, crust, sugar and lenten moon - with the names tracing their origins to Native American, Anglo-Saxon and Germanic traditions.

The cycle was historically used to track the seasons and therefore the names relate to nature.

Stargazers have been able to spot the extra-large orb since yesterday and will also be able to see it tomorrow, albeit a faded version.

The brightest supermoon of the 21st century will occur on December 6, 2052.

For all the forecasts, warnings and weather related news, click here.

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