Will you see the supermoon?
Ben Domensino,
Monday November 14, 2016 - 13:19 AEDT
Millions of people around Australia are expected to flock outside tonight to witness the most highly anticipated supermoon of our time, but will you be able to see it?
The arch-enemy of any astronomical spectacle for earth-dwellers is cloud. Supermoons, eclipses and shooting stars can all go by unwitnessed to anyone unlucky enough to be underneath a layer of water droplets suspended in our atmosphere.
While clouds themselves are a phenomenon worthy of watching from some, tonight they are likely be welcome by none.
So, which parts of the country will be shrouded by cloud as the moon rises tonight?
A low pressure system over the Tasman Sea will cause some cloud across the nation's southeast and a broad area of low pressure will pepper the tropics with cloud too. Skies will be clear over western and central Australia and most of Queensland.
Perth will be clear. There will be some cloud visible in Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and Darwin tonight, although there should be enough gaps to witness the moon.
Cloud across Victoria today will be making prospective moon-watchers nervous in the lead up, although there should be some breaks tonight to allow a glimpse of the spectacle.
Parts of eastern New South Wales will be under thicker cloud as the sun sets and moon rises tonight. Sydney's sky should be at least half covered by cloud, although the best chance of a clear gap around sunset will be to the east. This is fortunate, as the moon will be rising over the ocean and will appear largest as it climbs above the horizon. Skies will become clearer after midnight in the city.
For those that miss out on tonight's supermoon, tomorrow will offer a second chance. The moon will appear just as large to the naked eye on Tuesday.
- Weatherzone
© Weatherzone
2016