People across the UK will be able to see a 'supermoon' this week when it is expected to shine 30 percent brighter than normal.
Budding astrologists will have the chance to spot the rare supermoon as May's so-called "Flower Moon" graces our skies next week.
This month’s full moon will appear bigger, brighter and redder than usual, as the rare simultaneous occurrence of a supermoon and a lunar eclipse takes place in some parts of the world on May 26.
The astronomical phenomenon is expected to be at its peak on Wednesday, May 26, but this month's full moon will appear for around three days, and depending on the weather, people in Merseyside could be in for a sighting of the fascinating celestial event.
Stargazers in the UK are expected to be on the lookout for the celestial event on Wednesday.
The May full moon is known as the Flower Moon because of spring flowering, but it is also called the hare moon, the corn planting moon and the milk moon, reports BristolLive.
According to Patricia Skelton, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, the best time to see the supermoon in the UK will be in the early hours of the morning on May 26, or later in the evening on the same day – after sunset.
She told the PA News agency : “A supermoon happens when a full moon occurs at the same time, or close to the time, that the moon reaches its closest point to the Earth – a point called perigee.
“Perigee occurs at 2.51am on May 26, with full moon occurring at 12.14pm on the same day.
“The supermoon will rise in the east around half an hour after sunset and will be visible throughout the night.”
During this time, the Earth’s natural satellite will appear around 14% bigger and 30% brighter.
Ms Skelton said: “For the best views of the supermoon, wait for the moon to climb higher up into the sky.”
The event also coincides with a lunar eclipse which will see the moon turn red, but that will not be visible in the UK, Ms Skelton said.
She told PA: “People viewing the supermoon from the western US, western parts of South America, Australia or south-east Asia will witness the supermoon turn a shade of crimson red as a lunar eclipse will be taking place on the same day.
“This change in colour is not due to a physical change taking place on the moon, but simply because the moon will drift into the shadow of the Earth.
“The Earth’s atmosphere bends light from the sun and bathes the moon in a crimson red light.
“Although UK stargazers won’t be able to see the lunar eclipse, the supermoon is still worth a look.”
