Moon looms large in night sky

Moon's wonky orbit makes it appear bigger - and there are more so-called supermoons on the way.

A massive "supermoon"

A massive "supermoon" will appear in the sky, 14 to 15 per cent bigger than normal. (AAP)

It might have escaped your notice but the full moon is looking unusually big.

Dubbed a "supermoon", it's when Earth's celestial neighbour comes a little bit closer to us thanks to its elliptical orbit.

So if you looked up in the sky on Sunday morning, or plan to on Sunday night, the moon will appear 14 to 15 per cent bigger and about 30 per cent brighter, says Sydney Observatory education officer Geoffrey Wyatt.

"Sometimes it's a little bit closer, up to 50,000km closer than at other times," he said.

"When you get a full moon when it's closer than other times, it's been dubbed a supermoon.

"The next two are supermoons as well, which is unusual."

Mr Wyatt said most people don't notice the supermoon, with the optical illusion lost somewhat when the moon is suspended in the night sky "without a reference point".

August's supermoon, due on August 10, will be the pick of the bunch, he said.

"It will be the biggest full moon of the year, really worth checking out when it's low to the horizon because the illusion effect will make it look even bigger and brighter."

A third supermoon is expected on September 9.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world