Check the skies for a fuller full moon

Friday's full moon will be almost 12 percent bigger than some of the full moons this year, setting up a fine viewing opportunity when it rises in the evening, says NASA.

The reason: The moon is near perigee, the point on its slightly out-of-round orbit that is closest to Earth.

This moon is called the Harvest Moon, owing to its timing of being nearest the autumnal equinox. Farmers in the past relied on it to harvest all night. The Harvest Moon is not always closer and bigger than normal.

The moon will rise around 6 p.m. local time (compute exact time for your location). It will be officially "full" at 11:13 p.m. ET, though the moon is never really full.

Some other strange moon facts:

• The moon is not bigger when on the horizon.
• The moon is moving away as you read this. Far away.
• There is no proof the moon makes people crazy.