If you've got clear skies, tonight's moon is going to knock your socks off. According to New Scientist:

On 12 December, the Moon will enter its full phase, when its disc appears completely illuminated by the Sun, just four hours after reaching its closest point to Earth. This will make it 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full Moons in 2008, though the difference will be hard to distinguish by eye. It will be eight years before the Moon appears so big again.

In the northern hemisphere, the moon will also be higher in the sky than any other time of the year. Get ready for some hot werewolf action. [via New Scientist]

Image copyright 2005 David Haworth.

Send an email to Annalee Newitz, the author of this post, at annalee@io9.com.