The Biggest Supermoon over San Francisco in 70 Years | SF
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“Supermoon” Night Over San Francisco 2024
Thanks to an optical illusion in the sky, the moon will appear bigger and brighter than normal in the San Francisco Bay Area in the night, during what astronomers call a “supermoon.”
Because the sun is about 50,000 miles closer to the earth than at its furthest point – and it’s a full or new moon – the moon will appear larger and brighter than most full moons. To be considered a supermoon, it has to be within 224,851 miles (361,863 kilometers) of our planet, as measured from the centers of the moon and Earth.
The best time to observe the supermoon is when the moon is near the horizon during either moonrise or moonset, thanks to having objects in the foreground (like buildings or trees) to provide reference points for estimating the moon’s size.
2024 Supermoons & Rare Full Moons
- August 19 – “Blue” Supermoon
- September 17 – Super Harvest Moon plus a partial lunar eclipse
- October 17 – Super Hunter’s Moon and the closest full supermoon for 2024
- November 15 – Full Moon, Supermoon
Read more about 2024’s Supermoons at Earthsky
Source: EarthSky
The closest full moon since 1948 is coming up on November 14th.
Technically the moon reaches its full phase very early on the morning of November 14th. But don’t worry, for taking photographs and just watching in awe the moon should be big, bright and equally awesome to watch on both November 13th and 14th.
> Read 5 keys to enjoying the closest supermoon on earthsky.org
Your best best to notice the larger size of the moon is when it’s near the horizon and there’s something to compare it to. So either at moonrise or moonset when you can see it next to the hills, buildings, bridges or coastline. If you just stare at it high in the sky with no frame of reference it’s hard to notice a difference.
So your ideal time for photos will be Sunday evening around 5pm, Monday Morning around 5:30am or Monday evening around 5:40pm
San Francisco Moonrise/Moonset Times
Best bets for photos since the moon will be near the horizon
- Sunday Evening, Nov. 13 – Moonrise – 4:52pm
- Monday Morning, Nov. 14 – Moonset – 5:32am
- Monday Evening, Nov. 14 – Moonrise – 5:40pm
- Tuesday Morning, Nov. 15 – Moonset – 7:56amSource – timeanddate.com
Check out these photos from David Yu and Bhautik Joshl of past supermoons close to the horizon and you can see what we’re talking about.
So get your cameras out… the moon won’t come this close to Earth again until November 25, 2034.
Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.
Cost: FREE
Categories: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, East Bay, Geek Event, Kids & Families, North Bay, Peninsula, San Francisco, South Bay
