Moon enthusiasts are in for a treat in the coming months, as four supermoons will be appearing. These remarkable full moons are named for the colder months in the Northern Hemisphere: the October Hunter Moon, the November Beaver Moon, and the December and January Wolf Moons. What sets a supermoon apart is its larger and brighter appearance compared to an ordinary full moon.

A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with the point in its elliptical orbit around Earth where it is closest to our planet. This results in a moon that is 8% larger and 15% brighter than the typical full moon, a sight that skywatchers everywhere can appreciate.

The next full moon will rise in November, but the difference between this supermoon and the usual ones may not be easily noticed. To fully experience the supermoon, it’s best to observe it when it is on the horizon, as this can create an illusion of it being even larger alongside nearby objects.

The first supermoon is set to appear on October 7th. If conditions are clear, you will be able to view the fully illuminated moon as soon as the sun sets, no matter where you are.

Even if you miss this one, it’s still a splendid time to gaze at the moon. After the full moon, it will travel through the sky toward the constellation Taurus, offering plenty of celestial sights.

By October 10th, the moon will dim, yet more than 75% will still shine brightly, located near the Pleiades, known as the seven sisters—a cluster of young stars about 440 light years away that formed simultaneously.

Only the brightest stars of this group can be seen with the naked eye, which is why they are referred to as the seven sisters. They appear in a roughly square shape with lines extending from one corner, reminiscent of the Plow or the Big Dipper.

On October 14th, the moon will be illuminated at less than 50% and will be positioned next to the planet Jupiter. If you have binoculars or a small telescope, you may be able to spot some of Jupiter’s four Galilean moons, its largest satellites.

If you’re interested in studying the moon closely, take a look through a telescope on October 30th, when it will be in its first quarter phase. Throughout the months, you’ll have the chance to see fascinating optical phenomena on the moon’s surface known as the X and V shapes.

By early November, it will be time for the next supermoon.

These articles are published weekly
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