2025 has been witness to a lot of amazing celestial events. There have been aurora borealis, meteor showers, and even a planetary alignment. Now, skywatchers can be thrilled that another event will be taking place above us.
Get ready because Vancouver is about to see its first supermoon of the year.
WHAT IS A SUPERMOON?
As defined by NASA, a supermoon “occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon’s closest approach in its elliptical orbit.” Supermoons look larger and brighter than the average moon, making it an amazing spectacle in the sky. They also cause higher tides than usual, as the moon’s gravitational pull plays a big role in the formation of tides.
And as cool as it sounds, a “supermoon” isn’t its astronomical term– it’s just a word used for a full moon that comes quite close to Earth.
VANCOUVER SUPERMOON
Weather permitting, Vancouverites will be able to spot the supermoon on October 6 around 8:47pm. This year’s supermoon is also known as the “Harvest Moon”, as it will be the closest full moon to the autumn equinox. Harvest moons have historically helped farmers harvest their crops. Since the moon rises above the horizon faster than usual and provides bright moonlight, it is an especially important time for the harvest season.
The best places to spot a supermoon (or any moon, really) is anywhere with clear skies. If you have a good view of the horizon, then that’s even better so you can watch the moon rise. Locations like hills or coastal areas make fantastic moon-watching spots.
There’s also no need for binoculars or telescopes– just a naked eye works. Although, you can get a better view if you do use special equipment.
For those of you who love celestial events, mark your calendars now for both moons. But if you miss either, it won’t be your only chance to see a supermoon. This is just one of three supermoons you’ll be able to spot this year– so there’s two more still coming!
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