Astronomers and photographers around the world are preparing for an exceedingly rare full moon tonight - due to be at its biggest and brightest for almost 70 years.

The moon will be so close to Earth on 14 November - just 351,825 km - that it will appear to be up to 30% brighter and 14% bigger than average.

The best time to view the 'supermoon' in Ireland will be at around 5pm this evening, and Astronomy Ireland is urging everybody to take the opportunity to view the moon tonight.

Tonight's event is a rare phenomenon: the next comparable supermoon will not be until 25th November 2034, according to NASA. It will also be the 'biggest' moon in the sky since 1948.

Astronomy Ireland is running a special competition for the best photographs of tonight's supermoon, and is organising a special public viewing of the moon after a lecture in Trinity College tonight.

David Moore, editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine, said: "This year's Supermoon which will be best of the period 1948 to 2034, which is almost century! Anything that gets members of the public out photographing the sky at night is always to be welcomed."

He adds that the moon will appear 'full' to the naked eye tomorrow night as well, and "the view will be almost as spectacular".