When to see a supermoon in 2024

A supermoon is when the moon is closest to the Earth and at its brightest. It's a great opportunity to take a closer look at our nearest celestial neighbour and there's still a few chances to see a full supermoon in 2024. 

We’ve got all the information from the experts, and reveal why the moon is about to become so important to every single one of us.

What is a blue supermoon?

Dr Affelia Wibisono, astronomer at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, explains: “A super full moon is what happens when the full moon coincides with when the moon is at (or very close to) its nearest point to the Earth."

"Super full moons appear very slightly bigger and brighter compared to a ‘normal’ full moon."

The next super full moons in the UK in 2024 will be on 18 September, 17 October and 15 November. 

When is the best time to see it?

"The moon will not look noticeably different during the night, so the best time to see it will depend on the observer’s local conditions,” Dr Wibisono explained.

What can you see on a supermoon?

The moon will appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than when it is furthest away from the Earth. It will be at 222,043 miles (357,344km) compared to its furthest point of 252,088 miles (405,696km).

With the moon so big in our skies, it’s a great opportunity to grab a pair of binoculars and give it a closer look.

Some of the moon's features

Dr Wibisono explained that you can see many of the moon’s natural features, but if you’ve got a pair of binoculars to hand, you’ll see even more on the surface of the Earth’s only natural satellite.

These include:

• The low-lying and flat, dark maria (lowlands). These can easily be seen with the naked eye against the bright mountainous terrae (highlands).
• Large craters, such as Tycho Crater – one of the most prominent craters on the moon. The Tycho Crater is 53 miles (85km) in diameter and was formed about 108 million years ago.

Dr Wibisono says: “Binoculars will reveal more details on the crater, such as its slumped inner walls and the 2km [one-and-a-quarter-mile] tall mountain at the centre of the crater’s floor.

“You’ll also be able to see other smaller craters and mountain ranges around the moon’s surface.”

Why is the moon so important now?

Geopolitical and astropolitical expert Tim Marshall is author of the best-selling book The Future of Geography – about the new political space race.

He explained that the moon is set to become the centre of attention for all of us. For the first time since 1972, when we look up at the moon a man and a woman will soon be looking right back at us.

“Get the popcorn ready,” he told Saga Magazine. “The USA plans to have a woman and a man walking on the Moon in 2026. It’s part of the Artemis Accords mission, to which the UK is a signatory."

The new space gold rush

India has landed a robot on the moon and China expects to have its astronauts taking their first lunar steps before 2030.

Marshall added that this new interest isn’t just about space exploration, it’s the start of a space gold rush to try to capitalise on what’s thought to be on the moon’s surface.

“We can expect bases to be built on the moon by the early 2030s,” he said. “This is because of the huge potential for mining the metals that we need for renewable energy technology on Earth – which are now thought to be at the lunar south pole.

“The economic model of making that profitable is unproven, but that won't stop companies and countries from trying."