There’s nothing quite as magical as a celestial spectacle. Few things are as awe-inspiring and can instantly make us feel as interconnected as the beauty and enormity of the Universe. If you’re looking for a bit of perspective, then, we’ve got great news. Australia is in for at least two more night-sky phenomena before the year is over. First, a supermoon — the brightest of the year, no less — will be lighting up the skies this week. And, if you’re willing to put it a bit of extra effort, the jaw-dropping Orionid meteor shower is set to peak later this week as well. So if you can’t bear to miss out on astronomical events, here’s your guide to the galaxy:
Hunter’s Supermoon
If full moons are already a monthly treat, supermoons are nothing short of a feast for the eyes. And this year’s Hunter’s Moon is set to be the brightest of the year, so you’ll want to keep your eyes trained on the sky on Thursday, October 17. The reason for its stronger-than-usual glow is that the full moon will be coinciding with its closest approach to Earth in its orbit.
This is the third time we’ve been lucky enough to witness a supermoon this year, with the fourth and final one illuminating the skies on November 15, so if you miss the Hunter’s Moon — named in reference to the season when hunters traditionally began gathering and storing food in preparation for winter — you’ll still have one more chance to bask under its light.
Orionid Meteor Shower
The famed Halley’s Comet, which is only visible from Earth every 76, leaves behind a lovely trail for us to witness: the Orionids. They are one of two meteor showers created by the debris from the Comet’s wake, and they are made up of a display of 10 t0 20 meteors per hour.
Although sadly, the moon will be around its last quarter phase at the peak of the Orionids meteor shower on the night between October 20 and 21, creating some visual interference, it’s still worth watching out for the meteors, near the constellation Orion, as their name hints at.
Image: Shutterstock
How to watch
Thankfully, as long as the sky is clear and cloudless, you won’t need equipment to see either of these cosmic wonders, although the supermoon will be easier to spot. It’ll be most visible as the sun sets and it first appears but will be delighting us all night. To calculate sunrise and moonrise times in your location, head here.
The meteors, on the other hand, will be a bit tricky due to the moonbeams. However, if you head to a dark, clear location like the Mt Coot-tha Summit Lookout — although the light pollution coming from the city might make it a bit difficult — or, if you don’t mind a bit of a longer drive, Wild Horse Mountain, you’ll be able to catch some of them, as long as you let your eyes adjust to the darkness for at least 10-15 minutes. Find more tips here.