Omaha, Nebraska - Those who are superstitious may want to call it a day. For the first time in 20 years, there will be a full moon on Friday the 13th.
Krista Testin is the director of UNO's Mallory Kountze Planetarium and tells NewsRadio 1110 KFAB, "The full moon and the 13th is like once in a blue moon. it happens but it is very rare. It won't happen again for a couple of decades. Lots of different cultures see it as a bad omen."
Testin says the moon may be a bit smaller than normal and is known as a micro moon.
She says, "The micro moon or small moon means it is in apogee VS perigee. Perigee means the moon is at its closest point to Earth and apogee is its farthest point from Earth." She says you may not notice a big difference and weather should cooperate with viewing tonight.
This is also the Harvest Moon, the first full moon closest to the fall equinox that is September 23rd. On the calendar it is the first day of fall but Testin says to astronomers it means equal amounts of daytime and night.
UNO is holding a viewing session of night sky Friday night. Doors open at 8 p.m. at the Durham Science Center. There is a $3 charge for public viewing.