A supermoon will light up the sky tonight. It's time to look up
July’s full moon, the buck moon, can light up the sky on Wednesday in a very big way.
The moon buck will appear full from Tuesday morning through Friday morning, according to NASA. It will peak on Wednesday at 4:48 a.m. AEST.
To those at first glance, it may appear larger and brighter than the other moons of 2022 because it is a supermoon.
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While there is no single definition of “supermoon,” the term usually refers to a full moon that can stand out more than the others because it is within 90 percent of its closest orbit to Earth. The buck moon is the closest supermoon to Earth this year, according to Old Farmer’s Almanac.
“Unlike some astronomical events, there’s no (situation where) you have to see it instantly or you’ll miss it,” said Noah Petro, head of NASA’s Laboratory of Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry.
“There is no moment that you should pay attention to to maximize the enjoyment of the full moon. If it’s cloudy and you don’t want to be outside, go one of the following nights.”
For the clearest view of the moon, Petro recommends avoiding areas surrounded by tall buildings and dense forests.
This full moon is most commonly known as a buck moon because the stags, or stags, fully grow their antlers in July, according to Old Farmer’s Almanac. Bucks horns fall off and grow back every year, getting bigger as the animal ages.
The full moon of July has been known by several other names.
In the US, the Tlingit people refer to it as salmon month, as fish often return to the shores of the Pacific Northwest around this time and are ready to be harvested. For West Abenaki, this is the month of thunder, referring to the frequent thunderstorms during the year.
In Europe, July is often referred to as hay month because of the haymaking season in June and July, according to NASA.
The full moon of July coincides with the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain Guru Purnima festival, a celebration to clear the mind and honor spiritual and academic teachers.
For Petro and other space enthusiasts, this moon is called Apollo 11 moon. Apollo 11 was the first mission to place humans on the lunar surface. The mission launched on July 16, 1969, and landed on the moon on July 20, 1969.
There will be five more full moons in 2022, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
• August 11: Sturgeon’s month
• September 10: Harvest moon
• October 9: Hunting month
• November 8: Otter month
• December 7: Cold month
These are popularized names associated with the monthly full moon, but the significance of each may vary across Native American tribes.
Lunar and solar eclipse
There will be another total lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse in 2022, according to Old Farmer’s Almanac.
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun but only partially blocks its light. Make sure to wear proper eclipse glasses to view the solar eclipse safely because the sun’s rays can damage the eyes.
The partial solar eclipse on October 25 will be visible to people in Greenland, Iceland, Europe, northeastern Africa, the Middle East, West Asia, India and West China.
The total lunar eclipse will also be on display in Asia, Australia, the Pacific, South America and North America on November 8.
Meteor Rain
Check out the rest of the meteor shower that will reach its peak in 2022:
• South Delta Aquarium: 29 to 30 July
• Alpha Capricornids: July 30-31
• Perseid: August 11-12
• Orionids: October 20-21
• Southern Taurid: November 4th to 5th
• Northern Taurid: 11-12 November
• Leonid: November 17 to 18
• Geminids: December 13 to 14
• Ursid: December 21-22
If you live in a suburban area, you may want to drive to an area where there are no city lights for the best views.
Find an open area with a wide view of the sky. Make sure you have a chair or blanket so you can look straight up. And give your eyes about 20 to 30 minutes – without looking at your phone or other electronic device – to adjust to the darkness so the meteors will be easier to spot.
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