Stargazers around the world are in for a celestial treat as they witness a double spectacle of a supermoon teaming up with a comet. This unique event showcases October’s supermoon at its closest point of the year, sitting just 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) away on Wednesday night. The supermoon, the third out of four this year, is expected to appear bigger and brighter than the ones in August and September, reaching its full lunar phase on Thursday.
Adding to the cosmic excitement, a comet named Tsuchinshan-Atlas, which was first discovered last year, is making its presence known in the Northern Hemisphere after captivating stargazers in the Southern Hemisphere. NASA’s Bill Cooke mentioned that the moon’s brightness may dim some of the comet’s tail but reassured that it is still worth observing after sunset. As Cooke put it, “Most astronomers hate the full moon because its bright light messes up observing other objects. So it’s a bit hard for us to wax poetic about it even if it’s the biggest supermoon of 2024.”
For those eager to catch a glimpse of the comet, now is the time as it may not return anytime soon. However, if the supermoon event is missed on Thursday, there is one more chance to witness the phenomenon with the fourth and final supermoon of the year set to rise on November 15.
A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with a particularly close orbit around Earth, creating the illusion of a larger and brighter moon. While scientists note that the actual size difference may be barely noticeable, the increase in brightness can be perceived, with supermoons appearing up to 30% brighter than an average full moon.
Despite the small distinctions between supermoons, enthusiasts and astronomers alike are fascinated by these events, especially as countries like the United States gear up for increased lunar exploration, including landers and potential astronaut missions. The moon continues to captivate human interest and curiosity as it shines brighter than ever before.