Best place to see Melbourne supermoon is at the beach before sunset

THE biggest moon of the century is expected to illuminate the sky next week, with NASA dubbing the phenomenon a “supermoon”. Here’s where you can get the best views in Melbourne.

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THE biggest moon of the century is expected to illuminate the sky next week and Melburnians are advised to head to the beach at dusk for the best view.

The “supermoon”, as it has been dubbed, occurs when the moon is full and orbits close to Earth.

According to NASA, the moon on Monday, November 14, will be 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than the smallest full moon of the year, which occurred in April.

Next week’s supermoon is predicted to be one of the biggest yet. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Last time it was this close was in 1948, and the moon won’t put on such a bright display again until 2034.

But Melbourne skygazers will have a nervous wait on their hands, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting showers and a 60 per cent chance of rain on Monday.

NASA EXPLAINS THE SUPER MOON:

Astronomical Society of Victoria spokesman Perry Vlahos is encouraging people to look to the skies and enjoy the sight.

“You should get to a spot where there’s no obstructions to the moon on the horizon, ideally facing the beach in a place like Williamstown,” he said.

“Another good spot would be in a high building somewhere in the city, and you should be starting to have a look at 20 to 30 minutes before sunset.

“The moon always rises in the east, like the sun, so make sure you’re looking in the right direction.”

A full moon rises over construction cranes in Melbourne CBD. Picture: Eugene Hyland

However, Scienceworks senior curator and astronomer Dr Tanya Hill warned moon watchers not to expect a mind-blowing spectacle, saying it may not look as large as expected.

“While we always want to encourage others to look at the moon, there may not be much of a difference for most people, unless you absolutely intimately know the moon so well,” she told Leader.

“The super moon has not been around forever and only got traction in 2011 when it happened in March, because the Japanese tsunami and nuclear disaster occurred, followed by a super moon the week later.

“An astrologer said it was causing all these disasters on earth, which of course the moon can’t do, and it gained traction from there.”

Shots of last year’s supermoon

Supermoon in Melbourne Australia tonight. ☺ pic.twitter.com/FcWJOKOpyJ

— Greg Amey (@spinfreezone) July 31, 2015

#Supermoon lights up the skies over @Melbourne @Australia @CanonAustralia #5dmk3 pic.twitter.com/Kx1wwBNMed

— BillyFoster (@billyfoster15) August 30, 2015

A sneaky peek at the #Supermoon glancing down Little Collins Street #Melbourne pic.twitter.com/VFlyUz8zb6

— Stella Bella (@StellaSpoons) September 29, 2015

Supermoon over #Melbourne! The largest moon of the year makes a pretty picture as it heads toward the western horizon. Take a look! pic.twitter.com/OxeU0MXbhQ

— BOM Victoria (@BOM_Vic) October 16, 2016

Show us your snaps

The supermoon provides the perfect opportunity to brush up on your photographic skills ahead of Snap Melbourne next Wednesday when Melburnians are invited to post photographs to social media to build a living gallery of a day in the life of our wonderful city.

Tag @SnapMelbourne in your snaps of the moon to Instagram, and use the #SnapMelbourne tag on Twitter or Facebook.

Don’t forget to tag your local Leader paper and keep your profile public so we can see your fantastic pictures.