How to catch the year’s last supermoon

As the end of winter looms, sky gazers are being urged to keep an eye out for a truly spectacular lunar event.

A large, full moon, known as a ‘Supermoon’, will set for the last time in Australia for the year. Picture: Kazuhiro Nogi / AFP

As winter comes to an end in the southern hemisphere, sky gazers are being reminded of a spectacular lunar event – the last supermoon of the year over the horizon.

The “sturgeon moon” is set to appear in the sky from Thursday evening, through to its peak on Friday at 11.35am, with this particular moon predicted to rise within 90 per cent of its closest orbit to Earth.

This latest lunar event is one of a series of supermoons over the past four months above the country, including the Buck moon in July, the Strawberry moon in June and the Flower moon in May.

The sturgeon moon is set to hit Australian skies for the last time for 2022 this week. Picture: Harry Trump / Getty Images

The August moon marks the last time Australians will see one until 2023.

Super moons can appear up to 16 per cent brighter and seven per cent larger than a “normal” full moon.

The name “sturgeon moon” originates from the Old Farmer‘s Almanac, which was first published in the US in 1792, although Native American tribes call the moon a “Corn Moon”, “Harvest Moon” and “Ricing Moon”.

Urban residents are urged to find a spot with minimal lighting to get the best possible view of the event.