Stargazing enthusiasts can look forward to another supermoon in Singapore as well as a comet this week. The 2024 supermoons will make an appearance two times between October 2024 and November 2024. These are the Hunter’s Moon, and Beaver Moon, alongside a rare celestial event with comets in October.
Wonderfully, the Hunter’s Moon will be visible in the Singapore skies on October 17. The enchanting moon will rise around 7.26pm on October 17, before reaching a full phase around 9.30pm in Singapore. This particular moon will be the brightest supermoon of the year and historically marks the start of hunters preparing for winter.
Meanwhile, Comet C/2023 A3 will be visible to the naked eye in the evenings and early mornings from now until October 19. The comet will appear the most brightest in the western Singapore skies as it approaches Earth. It is predicted to be most visible around 5.30am.
What is a supermoon?
For those wondering what the heck a supermoon is, we’re taking you back to school for a minute. As described by NASA, a supermoon occurs when the Moon’s orbit is closest (perigee) to Earth, and at the same time the Moon is full.
Normally, the Moon orbits Earth in an ellipse, with the farthest point (apogee) about 405,500 kilometres from Earth. Meanwhile, the closest point called the perigee is an average distance of about 363,300 kilometres from Earth. Hence why a full moon shining bright in the night sky at perigee is called a supermoon.
What to expect from the 2024 supermoons in Singapore
Here’s what we know about the 2024 supermoons in Singapore according to predictions:
- Sturgeon Moon (complete on August 20)
- Harvest Moon (complete on September 18)
- Hunter’s Moon (October 17)
- Beaver Moon (November 15)
The best times to view the supermoon in Singapore is close to moonrise or moonset when the moon is near the horizon. Of course, we must take into consideration the weather conditions such as clear skies for the best supermoon viewing experience.
Certainly, the supermoon will be visible in any part of Singapore as you gaze up to the night sky. Although, we recommend relaxing on one of the best beaches, strolling through East Coast Park, or even tucking into a night picnic at Marina Barrage to experience supermoon spotting. Definitely, it’s the perfect free activity for interested observers and a fantastic thing to do with children.
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