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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)

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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.

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"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.


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