Tonight is the first chance in 70 years to witness a supermoon – a combination of the moon being full and closer to the Earth in its orbit. It’ll be 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter, and tonight will go down in records as being the closest full moon to the Earth during the 21st century.
The best time to see it is between moonrise and sunset, which is between 7.07pm and 7.36pm in Sydney. And you’ll want to position yourself facing east for the best possible perspective. To help you out, we’ve listed some suggestions for where you can watch the supermoon tonight.
If you’re on the coast…
Lucky you! Almost all of the eastern suburb’s beaches will have prime spots for watching the moonrise. If we had a helicopter, we’d head to Barrenjoey Lighthouse for optimal height and ocean views. Or, walk to North Head in Manly, to the Gap at Watsons Bay or Long Reef, or Kamay Botany Bay National Park. For a creepy full moon experience, there’s Waverley Cemetery… In fact, there’s an organised walk from Coogee to Bondi, which starts at 6.30pm leading a procession of walkers to Bondi for the 7.05pm moonrise. There’s another unofficial gathering at Bronte Beach at 6pm. Remember: no booze.
If you’re in the city…
Let’s face it, we’ve got deadlines to hit, clients to please and emails to send. If you’re unlikely to escape the office before 7pm (we hear you), these rooftop bars will see you right. The Star’s Sky Terrace mostly faces northeast, but up here you’ll have room to set up a tripod and views of the Harbour Bridge. In the Rocks, you can pick from the Glenmore for an Opera House + supermoon selfie, and Henry Deane’s rooftop bar gets spectacular skyline views to the east (not on the glass box side). If you really can’t escape the office, there’ll be another supermoon next month, but it won’t be as impressive as tonight’s.
If you’re inner harbour…
Driving over Gladesville Bridge, the Iron Cove Bridge or Anzac Bridge at 7pm? Let’s hope the skies are clear so that you catch a glimpse of that big, bright moon. If you live or commute via ferry, stop in at Blues Point Reserve, Illoura Reserve in Balmain or Clarkes Point in Woolwich for spectacular views of Sydney Harbour Bridge – just as you would expect for NYE fireworks.
Why should you care? The moon will be 50,000 kilometres closer to Earth tonight. The next time the moon will be this close to Earth and also a full moon will be in 2034.
Like the idea of paring your supermoon with a glass of wine? Find more rooftop bars in Sydney.