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Supermoon: world's skywatchers head for clear skies to get glimpse Supermoon: world's skywatchers seek clear skies for rare sight
(35 minutes later)
The largest supermoon in 68 years has started to peep through the clouds in Australia and Asia as astronomers across the world head for clear skies to enjoy the stunning natural phenomenon. The largest supermoon in 68 years has started to peep through the clouds in Australia and Asia as astronomers across the world anticipate the stunning natural phenomenon.
Skygazers are making for high-rise buildings, ancient forts and beaches in an attempt to get the best views. Skygazers were making for high-rise buildings, ancient forts and beaches in an attempt to get the best views.
The phenomenon happens when the moon is full at the same time as, or very near, perigee – its closest point to Earth on an elliptical, monthly orbit. Given clear skies, it will be visible shortly after sunset on Monday wherever you are in the world. The phenomenon happens when the moon is full at the same time as, or very near, perigee – its closest point to Earth on an elliptical, monthly orbit. Clear skies allowing, it will be visible shortly after sunset on Monday wherever people are in the world.
Nasa says this moon will be “especially super” as it will be the closest to earth since 1948. We won’t see another like it until 2034. Nasa said this moon would be “especially super” as it would be the closest to Earth since 1948 and there wouldn’t be another like it until 2034.
Thousands of people headed to Bronte beach in Sydney to witness the event, but clouds largely spoiled the party, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.Thousands of people headed to Bronte beach in Sydney to witness the event, but clouds largely spoiled the party, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Well we had a plan but the clouds got in the way #supermoon #Noshow pic.twitter.com/LCxKXHSBdWWell we had a plan but the clouds got in the way #supermoon #Noshow pic.twitter.com/LCxKXHSBdW
But in Queensland and western Australia the supermoon lit up the night sky.But in Queensland and western Australia the supermoon lit up the night sky.
Amateur photographers, young families and astronomy enthusiasts jostled for prime position on Brisbane lookout Mount Coot-tha to watch the rare lunar event unfold. Amateur photographers, families and astronomy enthusiasts jostled for prime position on Brisbane lookout Mount Coot-tha to watch the lunar event.
The long line of cars making their way down from Mt Coot-tha under the Supermoon. @ABCNewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/TkCSoeJGybThe long line of cars making their way down from Mt Coot-tha under the Supermoon. @ABCNewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/TkCSoeJGyb
Picnics were being organised in downtown Hong Kong for residents to watch the supermoon rise over the financial hub’s skyline, while hikers were heading to the greener, more distant corners of the Chinese city to enjoy views with less light pollution. Picnics were being organised in downtown Hong Kong for residents to watch the supermoon rise over the financial hub’s skyline, while hikers were heading to the greener, more distant corners of the city to enjoy views with less light pollution.
The landmark Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan, one of the world’s tallest buildings, was due to welcome skygazers, with astronomers predicting it would be one of the biggest moons seen from the island in nearly 100 years. The landmark Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan, one of the world’s tallest buildings, was due to welcome skygazers. Astronomers predicted it would be one of the biggest moons seen from the island in nearly 100 years.
Special viewing events were being organised by astronomy groups, with members of one group in Indonesia’s Yogyakarta – the heart of an ancient sultanate – taking to the rooftop of their club headquarters to get a glimpse of the supermoon as it rises over the city’s historic buildings. Special viewing events were being organised by astronomy groups, with members of one group in Indonesia’s Yogyakarta – the heart of an ancient sultanate – taking to the rooftop of their headquarters to get a glimpse of the supermoon as it rises over the city’s historic buildings.
Meanwhile, professional astronomers were at the ready at observatories across the region to explain the phenomenon to curious members of the public. Meanwhile, professional astronomers were at the ready in observatories across the region to explain the phenomenon to curious members of the public.
“We are getting students calling in, there are many who want to come,” said Mario Raymundo, the head of the Philippine government’s main observatory.“We are getting students calling in, there are many who want to come,” said Mario Raymundo, the head of the Philippine government’s main observatory.
The supermoon will also mean a stronger high tide, something that gets surfers giddy with excitement, not only at the prospect of riding bigger waves, but doing so at night. The supermoon will also mean a stronger high tide, something that gets surfers excited, not only at the prospect of riding bigger waves, but doing so at night.
Tides were predicted to be higher than usual on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali, a favourite with surfers. Tides were predicted to be higher than usual on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali, a favourite with surfers.
In Thailand, astrologers were variously predicting the supermoon would bring disaster or great fortune.In Thailand, astrologers were variously predicting the supermoon would bring disaster or great fortune.
Soraja Nuan-yoo, renowned for predicting the 2004 tsunami that killed many in Thailand and other countries round the Indian Ocean, warned that when the moon gets close to the Earth, “natural disasters happen”. Soraja Nuan-yoo, renowned for predicting the 2004 tsunami that killed hundreds of thousands in countries around the Indian Ocean, said that when the moon got close to the Earth “natural disasters happen”.
Astronomers say it can be hard to notice that the moon appears brighter than usual. Once it is high in the sky, it would be hard to tell the moon is larger but on the horizon, it could appear quite spectacular. Astronomers say it can be hard to notice that the moon appears brighter than usual. Once it is high in the sky, it is hard to tell the moon is larger but on the horizon, it can appear quite spectacular.
To get the best view, Pascal Descamps, of the Paris Observatory, recommended that people choose somewhere with a well-known landmark in the foreground. For the best view, Pascal Descamps, of the Paris Observatory, recommended that people choose somewhere with a well-known landmark in the foreground.
In Britain, weather forecasters said the best chance of witnessing the supermoon will be in eastern Scotland, north-east England, north-east Wales and the east of Northern Ireland. In Britain, weather forecasters said the best chance of witnessing the supermoon would be in eastern Scotland, north-east England, north-east Wales and the east of Northern Ireland.