As much as we care about what's happening right here in Melbourne – you know, like the best places to eat, drink and play – we're also pretty intrigued by what goes on in that big, beautiful sky of ours. After all, we go crazy when the Aurora Australis makes an appearance, or when a rare blue supermoon becomes visible to the naked eye.
Well, it's time to pop those stargazing caps back on, because the biggest supermoon of the year is coming up this week – and this time around, it's a special Harvest Moon. Read on for all the important details to ensure you don't miss this dazzling sight.
What does a full moon mean?
The full moon is an astronomical event wherein the full face of the moon is visible from Earth. This monthly event happens when the moon and sun are aligned on opposite sides of Earth, meaning that 100 per cent of the moon’s face is illuminated by the sun, making it appear extra big and luminescent in the sky.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon is taking place this Wednesday, September 18 – peaking at at 12.34pm (meaning it will likely be pretty darn huge on both Tuesday and Wednesday nights).
Here are the remaining full moons of 2024 (according to timeanddate):
- September 18, 12.34pm – Harvest Moon
- October 17, 10.26pm – Hunter’s Moon
- November 16, 8.28am – Beaver Moon
- December 15, 8.01pm – Cold Moon
For anyone outside of Melbourne, make sure to check the exact moonrise and moonset for your specific location.
Why do all of the full moons have different names?
Each of the 12 full moons has its own special name, which was created by Native American tribes to keep track of the seasons. These poetic names were based on the behaviour of the plants, animals or weather patterns during that particular month.
What does the Harvest Moon mean?
You might know it from Neil Young’s melodic love song, and there’s a reason he chose it as the focal point of the poetic ode to his lifelong love. Coinciding with the time of the equinox (occurring on September 22), the Harvest Moon is thought to represent a time of balance, harmony and potent magic, with astrologers suggesting that you should use this time to “cleanse and renew”, and reap the rewards of the seeds you’ve sown. This month’s moon is named for its impact on farming hours in the Northern Hemisphere: with the moon generally rising early at this time of year, it provides farmers with extra light to work on their harvests.
What is the cultural significance of this full moon?
According to NASA, there are a heap of other spiritual meanings for this month’s full moon originating from cultures around the world. Some Buddhists honour this moon with “Madhu Purnima”, the Honey Full Moon Festival which is a reference to a legend of the Buddha trying to bring peace between two communities, and some Asian countries celebrating this moon with festivals and by sharing gifts.
How to see the full moon in Melbourne?
You won’t need a telescope to take in the full grandeur of the full moon. So long as there are clear skies, you should easily be able to see it with the naked eye by simply looking up. If you want to see it in more detail, you can also use a telescope or binoculars.
When it comes to fully appreciating the full moon, the darker the area you're in, the better. You can find our top spots in this handy guide to the best stargazing spots near Melbourne.
What is a supermoon and when is the next supermoon in Melbourne?
A full moon gets upgraded to supermoon status when it’s at the closest point to Earth during its orbit – making it appear bigger in the sky. According to NASA, this week’s supermoon will be the biggest of the year, but there will be another biggie next month if you miss it.
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