won't trigger any catastrophes, according to scientists, but the Moon will orbit to its closest proximity to the Earth on Saturday night. It's called a "super moon": when a full moon reaches perigee near our planet.

Tectonic plates won't shift, but there may be small "perigean tides", according to NOAA, which says tide waters may rise up to an inch higher than usual. Some geographical areas can "amplify the effect" of the water, raising tides about six inches.

 

The federal agency notes super moons in 1983 and 2008 "proved harmless". Still, as NASA Science News reports, people believe strange things occur in conjunction with a full moon: "The idea that the full Moon causes mental disorders was widespread in the Middle Ages. Even the word 'lunacy,' meaning 'insanity,' comes from the Latin word for 'Moon.'"