When is the next supermoon of the year 2024?

One of the most eagerly awaited dates for astrophotography lovers is coming up. The next supermoon is just around the corner and it won't be the only astronomical event to mark on your calendar.

We talk about a supermoon when the Moon, in its orbit around the Earth, reaches its closest point to the planet, called Perigee.
We talk about a supermoon when the Moon, in its orbit around the Earth, reaches its closest point to the planet, called Perigee.

This year there will be a total of four full supermoons: the last one was on 19 August and the next one is just around the corner. Lovers of night photography and astronomy have an important date to mark on their calendars.

The event will be more spectacular because the full moon will coincide with the lunar perigee phase. In addition to the supermoon, there are two other upcoming astronomical events: a partial lunar eclipse and the Draconids.

What is a supermoon?

We speak of a supermoon when the Moon, in its orbit around the Earth, reaches its closest point to the planet, called perigee. On average, the Moon is usually at a distance of 384,400 kilometres from the Earth, but during perigee, it is reduced to 363,300 km. This is possible because the Moon's orbit around the Earth is not circular but elliptical..

The closer the perigee, the larger the moon appears compared to "normal" full moons, although the difference can be difficult to see with the naked eye. The phenomenon is enhanced when the perigee coincides with the lunar totality phase. There is a full moon when the satellite is completely illuminated by the Sun and both are on opposite sides of the Earth.

During a supermoon, tides may rise a little more than normal, but the changes are barely noticeable. It is also possible to notice a greater illumination in the night sky, making it difficult to see stars or other celestial objects in urban areas. For observing a meteor shower such as the Perseids, for example, a supermoon would be the worst news.

Mark this date on your calendar

Since the lunar cycle is about 29.5 days, there are usually at least 12 full moons per year. Of these, only 4 to 6 are supermoons, because not every full moon will have a supermoon at its perigee. The next full moon will be on Wednesday, 18 September, followed by 17 October and 15 November. On all three of these dates, the Moon will be at its perigee and will be full.

On the other hand, a partial lunar eclipse is scheduled for 17 and 18 September, which will be visible in the UK on the 18th. At the beginning of October, you cannot miss the spectacle of the Draconids, with a peak of activity on 8 October.

The Draconids occur when the Earth's orbit passes through a ring of debris from the tail of comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. When any of the rock fragments in the comet's wake come into contact with the atmosphere, they are calcined due to friction with the air, generating a luminous flash that we know as a shooting star.