After the lunar eclipse in September , astronomy enthusiasts have reason to rejoice again at the beginning of October: the harvest moon is also the first supermoon of the year. Read on to find out what it’s all about.
What is a supermoon?
The moon is called a supermoon or super full moon when it comes particularly close to the Earth on its orbit. It then enters perigee, which is the closest section of its orbit to the Earth. It reaches this with every full moon, but the proximity of the perigee to the Earth also changes. During a supermoon, the distance is smaller than usual, making the moon appear larger and brighter. This time it is only about 361,000 kilometers away from the Earth. On an annual average, however, the moon is 384,000 kilometers away from our planet.
In rare cases, a super new moon can also occur. Then it comes particularly close to the sun, resulting in a new moon and to the earth at the same time. If you are lucky, you may still be able to make out the outline of the moon.
When can you observe the super full moon?
The super full moon will reach its absolute peak on the morning of October 7 at 05:45. But don’t worry if you’re not an early riser. The supermoon will be visible in the sky for a whole three nights. The phenomenon will be particularly noticeable at moonrise and moonset and you will need a clear view to the east.
The difference in size compared to a normal full moon can be up to 14%. This difference is not necessarily visible to the naked eye, but it is an atmospheric motif for photographers. What you can see, however, is the increased brightness. During a supermoon, up to 30% more light can reach the earth.
Incidentally, the full moon in October is also known as the harvest moon, as each full moon has its own name. The name harvest moon comes from the fact that it is the first full moon after the end of the harvest in summer.
If you miss this supermoon, don’t worry. Two more of the big full moons await us on November 5 and December 5. They will come even closer to the Earth than the harvest moon in October.