Two Australian cities will have the best chance of seeing the blue supermoon tonight after most of the country was covered in clouds last night.
The blue supermoon is a scientific phenomenon that was set to light up the sky across the world again tonight.
Most Australians didn't get the chance to see the moon last night but people living in Perth and Darwin will have the best chance of seeing it tonight.
Here is everything we know about the weather conditions for supermoon viewing tonight and why it is classified as a supermoon.
Blue supermoon dwarfs iconic Australian landmark
When is the best time to see the super moon?
While it may not technically be the peak of the super blue moon, the best time to see it will be tonight, Wednesday 30 August, at dusk.
The moon will be rising from 4:31pm AEST this evening, and so from sunset at 5:30pm onwards, conditions will be right to catch a glimpse of the super blue moon.
The moon will technically be at its fullest at 11:35 am on Thursday morning, and will still appear larger than life on Thursday night, but tonight will offer the best conditions.
What is a super blue moon?
You will not be shocked to learn that a super blue moon is a combination of two things – a supermoon and a blue moon. Let's deal with those things one at a time.
Wait, a blue moon is not actually blue?
With apologies, it is not. There have been a few definitions over time, but the widely accepted modern definition of a blue moon is a second full moon in the same month.
The lunar cycle is approximately 29.5 days, which means you need the first full moon to occur right at the start of the month to leave enough time for another.
That only happens once every two or three years, which is why the phrase "once in a blue moon" means something that happens infrequently.
Mythology also links werewolves to supermoons, blue moons and especially blood moons - something taken through to popular culture by Hollywood.
Are supermoons really super?
Put it this way: supermoons are definitely more super than blue moons are blue. Our meteorological mates at Weatherzone summed them up pretty well recently when they explained it.
"A supermoon is a full moon or new moon that occurs when the moon is near its closest point to Earth," they wrote.
"Because the moon's orbit is not a perfect circle, it moves closer and further away from Earth throughout the year. At its closest point to Earth, the moon can appear about six to seven per cent larger than an average full moon."
So supermoons actually appear bigger to us, which makes for great moonrise pics. They are also more common than blue moons, occurring about three to four times each year.
Will the weather be kind for the blue supermoon?
Unfortunately, most capital cities will be cloudy tonight but there's still a chance to see the moon in gaps between the clouds.
Indeed, a few clouds might just add a bit of texture to the scene.
Some people may also need to bring their umbrellas to watch the moon but thanks to Weatherzone, here is what each capital's rain and cloud cover is expected to be on August 31.
Sydney
Chance of rain: 40 per cent
Cloud coverage: It is expected to peak at 47 per cent at 6pm but it is expected to clear about 11pm so if you are still up, that could be the best time to try and catch a glimpse of the moon.
Melbourne
Chance of rain: 60 per cent
Cloud coverage: The Victorian capital is expected to be really cloudy, with cloud cover expected to be between 50 and 70 per cent overnight.
Brisbane
Chance of rain: 10 per cent
Cloud coverage: Residents should have a good chance of seeing the moon in Brisbane, with cloud cover expected to stay below 37 per cent throughout the night.
Canberra
Chance of rain: 10 per cent
Cloud coverage: Locals have an okay chance of seeing the moon, with cloud cover peaking at 37 per cent at 10pm.
Hobart
Chance of rain: 60 per cent
Cloud coverage: The best chance for residents in Hobart to see the moon is about 8pm, with cloud cover sitting at a low of 36 per cent but it will be at 40 to 50 per cent throughout the night.
Adelaide
Chance of rain: 20 per cent
Cloud coverage: The clouds should ease to 30 to 40 per cent coverage in Adelaide but locals will have the best chance of seeing the moon about 9pm.
Perth
Chance of rain: 30 per cent
Cloud coverage: The west is looking the best place to see the moon, with the city expected to be cloud-free from about 6pm to 1am.
Darwin
Chance of rain: 5 per cent
Cloud coverage: The NT capital is also a great place to see the moon with cloud cover expected to decrease to about 10 per cent overnight.
