The 2014 Mini Moon or also called the "Micro-Moon" is set to peak on Wednesday night, January 15. Sky watchers will be able to observe the Full Moon appearing approximately 250,000 miles away, 14% smaller and 30% dimmer than the Super Moon, a full Moon having its closest distance to the planet Earth in orbit.

According to the National Geographic report on this week's sky event, the Moon will glide closer first to Jupiter in the southeast skies on Tuesday evening, January 14. The space object pairing will be separated at less than five degrees which is estimated to be the same width as the three middle fingers being held out together at arm's length.

Then, Wednesday evening will have the Moon reaching apogee or the farthest point in its orbit around planet Earth making it appear at its smallest this 2014. The Moon is expected to reach its furthest point at 8:53 EST (1:53 UT) and the actual Full Moon occurs at 11:52 EST (4:52 Universal Time on January 16).

On Saturday, January 18, spectators can search for the lead star Regulus in the Leo constellation brushing past the Moon. The National Geographic report further claims the two space objects will be passing within five degrees of each other.

The Universe Today reports this apogee will not be the farthest to occur in 2014 but it is close. The apogee can fluctuate from 404,000 to 406,700 kilometres and the apogee this January falls just 164 kilometres short of the maximum value.

The report further adds the Moon will temporarily hide as well the +3.6 magnitude star Lambda Geminorum on January 15 for the sky watchers located in northwestern North America. Viewers who are down the line crossing central British Columbia will be able to observe a stunning graze as the star appears shining along the border of the Moon.

This 2014, observers can expect three more Full Moons occurring within 24 hours of perigee beginning July 15 until September 8. The most notable occurrence will be on August 10 where the Moon will pass perigee about 27 minutes from Full and the hype on the appearance of the "Super Moon" mounts once again.

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