Highlanders best set to catch last 'supermoon' of the year tonight
Top tips for stargazing and how you can see the last supermoon of 2023 tonight have been published.
Parkdean Resorts, the leading operator of holiday parks in the UK, welcoming in excess of 3.5 million holidaymakers each year, has released tips on how to spot the highly anticipated Harvest Moon.
A supermoon is a full moon that is closer to Earth than normal, making it appear larger and brighter in the night sky.
The full harvest moon will be visible tonight and will reach peak illumination at 6.45pm.
So what is it? And what is the best way to catch the brightest glimpse of it?
The harvest moon is the name given to the September full moon. With each month on average having one full moon, it marks the occasion whereby the moon appears fully illuminated from Earth’s perspective and occurs when Earth is located between the sun and the moon.
A supermoon however is when the moon appears bigger and brighter than usual and is a much rarer sight.
Named for the season of gathering because the event occurs close to the beginning of autumn, or the autumnal equinox, the bright harvest moon once helped farmers work into the evening to harvest their bounty ahead of the first frost and is the last supermoon of 2023.
Top tips to see it
1 Get up high!
The further up you are, the better your chance of a clear sky to see the stars. Take a hike in your local area and explore the surroundings to find the perfect stargazing spot! The further you are away from light pollution the better chance you'll have of seeing the stars. Moons always rise in the east and set in the west - so follow this direction in your search.
2 Research what you’re looking at
Enhance the stargazing experience and download Star Chart free on AR-enabled Apple or Android devices. Star Chart allows you to point the camera at the sky and will tell you exactly what is up there!
3 Use the Time and Date website for the best chance of spotting the planets
Time and Date allows you to input your location, before generating information about when the planets are most visible. With lots of helpful information about what's in the universe, this is a great way to educate the family about the wonders of space.
4 Send the Strathy your interesting shots!
