Tonight's full moon will appear unusually big and up to 30% more brilliant. It will be the first of three "supermoons" this summer: July 12, August 10, September 9.

This phenomenon occurs when a full moon coincides with the "perigee moon," meaning the moon orbits closer to the earth causing it to appear larger. The "supermoon" effect can be magnified if you view the moon near a horizon or through foreground objects such as trees or buildings.

The photographs of Fearrington Village's towering whirligigs by self-taught artist Vollis Simpson of Lucama, NC. Simpson's work also appeared in the 1996 Olympics, New York City storefronts (Bergdorf Goodman department store), museums, backyards and offices. He worked in his shop daily until six months before his death in May 2013. He was 94. The community is collecting funds to erect a Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in historic downtown Wilson, NC.

(photographs taken at the entrance of Fearrington Village in Pittsboro on Friday July 11, the eve of the "supermoon.")