Don't miss the last supermoon of the year this week
The giant hunter’s moon will be clearly visible in Spain this Thursday night
The last great supermoon of the year, also known as the Hunter’s Moon, will reach its peak this Thursday night, October 17.
A supermoon occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to the Earth, making it appear larger and brighter in the sky. This phenomenon happens when the Moon's orbit brings it closer to our planet, resulting in a more spectacular display of the lunar body, so stargazers across Spain are in for a real treat.
The Hunter's Moon is the full moon that occurs after the autumn equinox, marking the beginning of the hunting season. The name "Hunter's Moon" was given to this full moon by Native Americans, who used the lunar cycle to mark periods in their daily life.
The Hunter's Moon was a time when hunters could take advantage of the longer nights and the moonlight to hunt their prey.
This Thursday, the best time to view the supermoon will be after 7pm, when it will appear especially red due to the high winds forecast. It will also look much bigger the closer it is to the horizon.
The Elda astrophotographer Jordi L. Coy, who has received numerous international awards, including one from NASA, explained that the coincidence of the Hunter's full moon with the supermoon will make it possibly the clearest lunar event of the year.
But don’t worry if you miss the peak. Although the illumination of the supermoon will be at a staggering 100% on Thursday, it will still be incredibly bright the following night, reaching an impressive 98.5%.
To make the most of this astronomical event, Coy recommends viewing the Moon when it rises over the horizon. This is when the Moon takes on a reddish or orange hue, and appears larger than usual. The expert also suggests getting away from light pollution to enjoy the full beauty of the night sky.
In other news: Masks are back: Spain considers Covid restrictions indoors
Image: Jordi L. Coy
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