What is it, when can I see it and how does it affect the tides?
How is a supermoon formed?
A supermoon occurs when the full moon is closest to the Earth. At this point it may appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than at the farthest point in its orbit.
The result is a stunning, bright moon that lights up the night sky under the right conditions. It is often most striking when it appears on the horizon and contrasts with buildings, monuments, trees and other landmarks.
Where can I see it?
The harvest moon is best viewed over the eastern horizon and is expected to swell significantly in the moments after sunset.
Clear skies and unobstructed views provide the best viewing experience.
A full moon passes behind the illuminated windows of a New York City skyscraper in August 2023.Credit: AAP
When is the best time to see this?
Approximate moonrise times tonight (when the supermoon first appears on the horizon):
- Sydney – 19.13 AEDT
- Melbourne – 19.44 AEDT
- Brisbane – 18:00 AEST
- Darwin – 18.51 ACST
- Perth – 18.40 AWST
When is the next supermoon?
The next supermoon – the hunter’s moon – will fall on November 5. The hunter’s moon is the supermoon that follows the harvest moon and is traditionally associated with hunting and food storage ahead of the northern hemisphere winter.
A surfer rides a wave as the blood moon rises over Manly beach in May 2021.Credit: cameron spencer
The next supermoon from Orion’s moon will occur on December 5, and another supermoon is predicted for January 2026.
We are expected to experience a total lunar eclipse or blood moon in March next year.
Why so many things in a row?
Macquarie University astrophysicist and associate professor Devika Kamath said the moon’s phases and orbit were aligned to produce more supermoons in 2025.
“It’s like a person walks into a room, touches the wall, and then walks out of the room,” Kamath said.
“It’s a phase – the closest point [to Earth] It will actually be on November 5th; “What you will see tonight will not be the closest approach to the Moon.”
Supermoon in Gisborne, 50 kilometers north of Melbourne, in 2019.Credit: Paul Rovere
Kamath found that a supermoon is made “special” by the alignment of the moon’s phases and orbit, a rare phenomenon that makes the sky “look amazing.”
What other types of full moons are there?
Other special full moons include:
- Blood Moon: Occurs when the Earth’s shadow completely covers the Moon, which appears red in the night sky due to light reflecting off the edges of the Earth’s atmosphere.
- Blue moon: not blue in color or otherwise irregular in appearance, is the third full moon in a season with four full moons, or the second full moon in a month. It happens about once every 2.5 years.
How do they affect the tides?
Supermoons make the tide stronger, causing high tides to rise a few centimeters above normal and low tides to be slightly lower.
This is because the Moon has a stronger gravitational pull as it approaches the Earth. Its effect on tides is greater and smaller than that of storms or other local weather conditions.
A supermoon rises over Canberra in May 2021 with the Houses of Parliament in the foreground.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
How can I photograph it?
Photographers are warned against excessive zooming when shooting the supermoon and to steady their devices with a tripod or other structure to ensure a clear shot.
Phone users should also avoid excessive zooming and tap the screen to focus on the moon before taking the photo.
Loading
All photographers should look east after sunset to capture the rising glow and brightness of the Supermoon as it appears on the horizon.
Get to the bottom of what’s happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our bi-weekly Environment newsletter.
