If you missed the incredible double meteor shower in July and the rare aurora australis display in May, you’ll want to clear out your calendar for an equally exciting celestial event that is set to light up the skies this week. Skygazers in some parts of the world will be treated to a rare double event with a supermoon set to coincide with a partial lunar eclipse, resulting in a massive full moon. While astronomy enthusiasts in Australia will unfortunately not see the lunar eclipse, the supermoon, or Harvest Moon, will shine bright above our skies. Even better, it’s set to be the biggest supermoon of the year so don’t miss out. Here’s what you need to know.
What is a supermoon?
The brightest and biggest moons of the year are dubbed supermoons. The moniker “supermoon” was introduced by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 to describe a new or full Moon that happens when the Moon is within 90% of its closest to Earth, according to NASA. The Harvest Moon is the closest full moon to the autumn equinox making it the brightest and largest of the year.
When can you see the September supermoon in Australia?
The moon will rise on Wednesday, September 18 at 6pm in Sydney, 6.26pm in Melbourne, 5.53pm in Brisbane, 6.09pm in Canberra, 6.23pm in Adelaide, and 6.29pm in Perth. The moon will be at its fullest at 12.34pm (AEST) on Wednesday so it will be large on both Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
How can you see the supermoon in Australia?
You don’t need a telescope or any special equipment to see the supermoon. All you need is clear skies. There are plenty of dark places where you can get the best views of the moon including the Warrumbungle National Park and the first-ever urban night sky place right here in Sydney.
Read more about the supermoon here.