Stargazers are in for an exciting evening as they will have the opportunity to observe the rare Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) gliding through the western sky shortly after sunset, followed by the spectacle of a supermoon later in the night.
Thursday marks October’s full moon, often referred to as the hunter’s moon, and it is the third of four consecutive supermoons occurring in 2024. This supermoon is anticipated to be the largest.
A supermoon occurs when a full moon reaches its nearest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it seem slightly larger and brighter than usual, though “supermoon” is not a scientific term.
For those in Florida, the best time to view the full supermoon is around 8:48 p.m. EDT, as this is when the moon will be closest to the Earth, according to Joe Rao from Space.com. Meanwhile, the full moon will be visible globally around 7:26 p.m. EDT.
Supermoons result from the moon’s 27-day orbit around the Earth, where two significant phases are noted: perigee, the closest point during the orbit at about 226,000 miles, and apogee, the farthest point at about 251,000 miles. Supermoons happen only when a full moon coincides with perigee.
Although a full moon can be visible for up to three days, the peak moment of fullness lasts only a brief second. If you happen to miss the supermoon on this night, you will still have a chance to see a slightly smaller version the following night.
Supermoons are uncommon rather than rare, typically occurring three to four times a year, always consecutively. For 2024 and 2025, there will be four supermoons in total.
The term “supermoon” was introduced by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 to describe new or full moons that occur when the moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth.
The next supermoon will appear with November’s full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, on November 15.
Additionally, Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will be visible in Florida on Thursday night, easily observed without specialized equipment, although binoculars or a telescope will enhance the view. Previously visible in the southern hemisphere, it will now be observable in the northern hemisphere until October 31, with optimal viewing from tonight through October 24.
The best time to see the comet will be right after sunset, as its tail will be illuminated by the remaining sunlight. NASA suggests that viewers can catch their first glimpse of the comet 15 minutes after sunset on Wednesday, with visibility increasing to 30 minutes past sunset over the following days before it begins to fade.
In Florida, sunset times will vary, with the western Panhandle experiencing sunset around 6:14 p.m. CDT, and the rest of the state around 6:52 p.m. EDT.