The first supermoon of the year is about to emerge on Monday, July 1. Australian viewers can enjoy watching this lunar activity from afar.
It's only of the four supermoons that are expected to rise in 2023. If you miss watching it later, you still have three chances to add the supermoons to your astronomy viewing wishlist.
When is the Australian Supermoon Rising?
In an early report by News.com.au, the upcoming full moon known as "Buck Moon" will be 100% full at around 9:39 AEST.
For those unfamiliar with the term "buck moon," you don't have to stress out further since it's just the US counterpart of a full moon.
According to an astrophysicist from Australian National University, Brad Tucker, the Aussie sky gazers can have the best viewing time of the supermoon when it is at sunset.
"As the sun is setting in the west, the moon will be rising in the east, as it does it will look its biggest and brightest on the horizon," Tucker told 9News in an interview.
The Challenge in Supermoon Viewing
The full moon will be 26,000 kilometers closer than it's ever been. By Monday night, it will appear to be five percent bigger than its actual size even though it's roughly 380,000 kilometers away from the planet.
While it does sound good to know that it will be closer this time, it does not mean that it would pave an easier channel for viewing.
According to SkyNews, Australians can experience difficulty in looking for the best angle to view the supermoon because of the cloudy skies.
The viewers might be able to witness its glimmering body throughout the night. However, if it is covered completely by the clouds, it would turn out to be a "disappointment" only.
Tucker said that during the supermoon phase, the tides will be bigger because of the stronger gravitational pull.
What Are the Upcoming Supermoons For the Remainder of 2023?
While it's fascinating to have a once-in-a-lifetime moment with a supermoon, it does not end up here. In fact, there will be three more supermoons that are arriving this year.
By next month, there will be a blue moon. It is anticipated that the final supermoon will be peaking on September 29.
If you're interested in supermoon viewing, check Farmer's Almanac's list of the upcoming full moons and their expected date of appearance.
- August 1: Sturgeon moon
- August 30: Blue moon
- September 29: Harvest moon
- October 28: Hunter's moon
- November 27: Beaver moon
- December 26: Cold moon
Meanwhile, those residents in North, South, and Central America can feast their eyes on the annular solar eclipse which will be visible on October 14.
As advised by the experts, viewing a solar eclipse can harm a person's eyes. Because of this, it's recommended to wear glasses designed for such activity.
