What is the supermoon?
A supermoon will be coming to our shores later tonight. The event occurs when a new or full moon passes closer to Earth than it normally would in its monthly orbit. This time, the positioning will place the moon 50,000 kilometres closer to Earth.
The November 14 supermoon will be “the closest full moon to date in the 21st century,” according to NASA.
This will be the biggest supermoon since 1948 and there won’t be a chance to see it this close to us again for another 18 years.
Will we be able to see it properly?
Forecasters in NZ and AU are predicting cloud cover that could obstruct the view slightly, but should not impede you from viewing the moon in its entirety.
When is the best time to view the November 14 supermoon?
The moon will be at its most impressive as the sky darkens in the evening twilight – between moonrise and sunset.
If you are in Melbourne, the best viewing time will be between 7.40pm (when the moon rises) and 8.09pm (when the sun sets).
If you are in Sydney, the best time to witness the beautiful supermoon is between 7.07 and 7.36pm.
How do I take the best photo?
NASA senior photographer Bill Ingalls shares his top tips for creating that perfect shot. He recommends grounding the picture by making sure the moon is in frame alongside a land-based object.
“Don’t make the mistake of photographing the moon by itself with no reference to anything.”
But what about those of us who don’t have fancy cameras? Can we still secure the perfect shot?
- Clean your lens.
- Stay away from zoom – take the photo and crop after if you need to.
- Make use of the panoramic option to create something beautiful.
Most importantly…
You may want to capture this phenomenon on film, but the best way to experience the supermoon is to put away your phone, sit back and let it all soak in.
If you do take photos we would love to see your favourite picks.
