ASTRONOMY LOVERS ARE in for a treat this week, as another supermoon appearance is set to coincide with “the best shooting star” display of the year.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Astronomy Ireland’s David Moore said that, while this supermoon was slightly smaller than the one seen in the sky last month, it would be next to impossible to tell the difference.
“It’s like the fastest times for the 100m sprint,” he said. “They’re all so close. This supermoon will be only 1/200th smaller than the one we had last month. To the naked eye, it would be exactly the same.”
To celebrate the appearance of the supermoon and the meteor shower, Astronomy Ireland is setting up two powerful telescopes to showcase these sights from its headquarters in Blanchardstown.
Also in the skies this month is the planet Venus, which will be clear to see for the next few months.
Moore explained: “The big thing in the evening sky is Venus. It’s 100 times brighter than the brightest stars.
“It’ll be low down for the next few weeks, but by Christmas Day it’ll very high up so everyone can see it.
From the city office block to the country field, it’ll be unmistakeable.
It’ll be so bright around Christmas that people may mistake Venus for the North Star, according to Moore.
Have some moon or shooting star pictures that you want to share? Email them in to tips@thejournal.ie.
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