A Celestial Spectacle: The Supermoon's Impact on Our Skies
The night sky put on a breathtaking display on Tuesday, as the Mid North Coast witnessed the year's most impressive supermoon.
For sky enthusiasts, it was a moment to behold as the largest and brightest moon of 2025 illuminated the horizon. Dennis Hughes, an amateur astronomer at the Port Macquarie Observatory, shed light on this extraordinary event.
"The moon's proximity to Earth was remarkable, reaching a distance of approximately 356,980km at around 1 am on Wednesday, November 5th. This is significantly closer than its usual orbit, creating a stunning visual effect.
There were similar encounters in October and December, but this supermoon takes the cake for being the closest to our planet."
But here's where it gets controversial... Hughes explained that the moon's apparent size is more about our perspective than its actual distance. "It's an optical illusion! The moon appears largest when it's close to the horizon at moonrise, but this is due to our perception. It can seem up to 15% larger and 30% brighter because it's directly in the sun's path."
The brightness was so intense that even the observatory team had to adapt. "We had to use filters on our telescopes to manage the extreme brightness. It was challenging to observe any surface details because the sun's rays didn't cast shadows on the moon's surface."
Locals also noticed a change in the tides, with slightly higher-than-normal high tides. "There are many factors at play here, but the supermoon's influence is undeniable."
For those watching from Port Macquarie's headlands, the experience was even more magical. "It was a treat to witness the flying foxes' flight path against the full moon's backdrop."
So, what did you think of this celestial event? Do you find the supermoon's impact on our skies fascinating? Or is it just an optical illusion that doesn't warrant much attention? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
