Stargazers were treated to some Wednesday night delight with a rare supermoon glowing in Australian skies – and the spectacle is set to be repeated.

The biggest full moon of the year, the harvest supermoon, delivered in spades with the night orb shining brightly at its closest point to earth.

A supermoon occurs when the Moon appears 30 per cent brighter and 14 per cent bigger in the sky. It is also about 27,000 kilometres closer to Earth than it is normally.

The full Harvest Supermoon rises behind the Empire State Building in New York City, Tuesday evening #NYC #newyork #newyorkcity #FullMoon #harvestmoon @empirestatebldg #moon #Supermoon pic.twitter.com/0pFF4rr8QF

— Gary Hershorn (@GaryHershorn) September 17, 2024

The harvest moon gets its name due to the time of year it occurs – as the closest supermoon to the autumn equinox in the northern hemisphere, it is when farmers can use the added light to harvest crops before winter hits.

This year, the harvest moon coincident with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is celebrated across east and South-East Asia.

Falling on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, it is a time for families to gather to sample autumn harvests, light lanterns and admire what’s believed to be the fullest moon of the year.

“The best time to see tonight’s supermoon in all its glory is straight after moonrise. This is because our mind plays a trick on us when the Moon is near the horizon, causing an optical illusion that makes the Moon appear larger than it does when it’s higher in the sky,” forecaster Weatherzone wrote on Wednesday.

Moonrise in Australia’s capital cities ranged from 6pm in Sydney to 6.57pm in Darwin on Wednesday.

The Bureau of Meteorology said central Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia had the greatest visibility, while a cloud band was expected to deal a cruel blow to NSW’s lunar fanatics.

But that didn’t prevent some spectacular shots.

 

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A post shared by Jason Ahyong (@jason.ahyong)

The supermoon will be visible for the next few nights but was at it fullest on Wednesday.

There will also be two more supermoons this year, on October 17 and November 15.

A full lunar eclipse is not due in Australia until September 7, 2025.

Super Harvest Moon:Traditionally, was a valuable natural aid for farmers (NH) who used its light to extend their working hrs during harvest. It holds significance in various cultures/traditions .In the Hawkesbury even the possums are enjoying the view. @NSWEducation @mccallumtp pic.twitter.com/RWGWFqCXio

— Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Education (@CoE_AgEd_RAC) September 18, 2024

Meanwhile, Sunday (September 22) marks the spring equinox in the southern hemisphere – the point after which days become longer than nights.

-with AAP