Seafarers may have the best views of a supermoon which will be visible over Ireland for the next couple of nights.
Tonight (Tuesday, August 1st) offers the best chance of viewing the Sturgeon moon, which will be visible also on Wednesday and once again this month.
It rises at 21.30 tonight and 22.20pm on Wednesday.
A supermoon is defined by NASA as taking place when the moon’s orbit is closest to the Earth at the same time as a full moon, which makes the moon appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than normal.
As Astronomy Ireland explains, the moon circles the Earth in a slightly elliptical orbit.
“ At some times, it is 15% closer than when at its farthest from us. This causes the moon to be 30% brighter in the sky compared to when it is at its most distant,” it says.
The August full moon was named after the fish caught by Native Americans in the Great Lakes in North America around this time of year.
Astronomy Ireland magazine is inviting sailors, fishers, anglers and coast walkers to send photos or written comments of their observations for publication in a special review of the event.
