Australia Set to Witness a ‘Festival’ of Supermoons, Culminating in a 2026 Blood Moon
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Australia is poised to experience a remarkable celestial event: a series of four “supermoons” in swift succession, beginning with the “harvest moon” on October 7, 2024, and extending thru january 2025. This stunning display will be followed by a total lunar eclipse – a “blood moon” – visible across the country in March 2026, offering stargazers a wealth of astronomical wonders.
What is a Supermoon?
A supermoon occurs when a full or new moon coincides with itS closest approach to Earth in its orbit. while not a formally defined astronomical term, the designation is generally applied when the moon is within 90 percent of its closest point, known as its perigee. others require the full or new moon to occur within 24 hours of perigee. The Moon’s orbit isn’t a perfect circle, but slightly egg-shaped, varying between approximately 356,355 kilometers at its closest and 406,725 kilometers at its furthest point – known as its apogee.
Upcoming Supermoon Dates
- October 7, 2024 (Harvest Moon): The moon will appear fullest on the night of tuesday, October 7, but will remain spectacular on Wednesday, October 8, when it is closest to Earth this month.
- November 5, 2024: Full moon occurs at 12:20am AEDT November 6, at a distance of 356,818km.
- December 4, 2024: Full moon occurs at 10:00am AEDT December 5, at a distance of 356,961km.
- January 3,2026: While some may classify this as a supermoon,it occurs two days after the moon reaches its closest distance to Earth.
Australia won’t experience another super full moon until November 25, 2026.
Why So many Supermoons in a Row?
The occurrence of multiple supermoons in succession is entirely normal, according to Professor Horner. “when the full moon is closest to the Earth, the full moon before and the full moon after… are still a fair bit closer to the Earth than average.” This is due to the interplay between the moon’s slightly elliptical orbit and the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. The movement of these celestial bodies creates a wave-like pattern of full moon distances, allowing for a series of supermoons to occur over several months.
Supermoons and Tides
Supermoons do have a subtle effect on our oceans, influencing tides. The closer proximity of the moon results in what are known as perigean spring tides, or colloquially, king tides. These tides are higher than usual due to the increased gravitational pull of the moon.
A Cultural Connection: The Harvest Moon and Beyond
The full moon closest to the September equinox is often referred to as the “harvest moon,” a tradition originating from the US Old Farmer’s Almanac and reflecting seasonal changes in the Northern Hemisphere. Other cultures also celebrate the moon at this time of year. For example, Chinese and some Southeast Asian cultures recently marked the Mid-Autumn Festival, a harvest festival centered around the legend of the moon goddess Chang’e, celebrated with conventional mooncakes. The Moon has held cultural meaning for millennia across the globe, including in Australia.
What Else is on the Horizon?
Beyond the supermoon series, astronomy enthusiasts have much to look forward to. A total lunar eclipse, promising a spectacular “blood moon” display, is scheduled to be visible across Australia in early March 2026. According to Professor Horner, this event will be far more visually striking than the supermoons.Additionally, the Orionids meteor shower will peak on October 21-22, 2024, and the Geminids meteor shower, considered the best of the year, will grace Australian skies in December. .
