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Brightest and biggest supermoon for 2020 will be visible in Australia on Wednesday

It will be the first of two supermoons for 2020 when the world looks to the sky on Wednesday night.

A supermoon occurs when the moon reaches its closest position to the Earth, known as the perigee, making the satellite appear bigger and brighter than usual. This month's supermoon is also a Pink Moon, so-called by the Native Americans because of the pink flowers that appeared in the east of North America at this time of year. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
A supermoon occurs when the moon reaches its closest position to the Earth, known as the perigee, making the satellite appear bigger and brighter than usual. This month's supermoon is also a Pink Moon, so-called by the Native Americans because of the pink flowers that appeared in the east of North America at this time of year. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

It is an event that will not be cancelled despite the social distancing measures and it will be held right in your own backyard.

Moongazers will be looking to the sky tonight to witness the biggest and brightest moon of 2020.

Officially known as the perigee-syzygy moon or “Pink Moon”, it is named after the spring blossom of pink phlox flowers, not its colour.

The Pink Moon will be 357,035km away from Earth compared to the average 384,400km and is up to 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than a normal full moon.

Townsville Astronomy Group president David Reitsma said the event was one worth watching.

“Lots of people love looking at the moon but now we get a moon even brighter and it makes it that much more special,” he said. “It doesn’t happen very often and the reason it is big is because the moon is travelling through the shadow of the Earth.”

The last Pink Moon was witnessed in February 2019 and the next pink moon is due on April 26 next year.

It is recommended to watch the pink moon away from any street or backyard lights with the help of binoculars or a telescope.

Moonrise in Townsville begins at 6.29pm in the east, with the best viewing at 11.19pm heading north.

Originally published as Brightest and biggest supermoon for 2020 will be visible in Australia on Wednesday

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/townsville/brightest-and-biggest-supermoon-for-2020-will-be-visible-in-australia-on-wednesday/news-story/4405a1ca5bc149174db10f11b91a5c37