The moon is one of the night sky's almost constant sights thanks to its constant phases, which dictate how much light it reflects to Earth.
Thanks to these phases, there will come a time when the moon reaches a point where it is larger and brighter than normal.
Once this happens, astronomers call the moon a "supermoon" owing to its increased size and brightness.
However, when does a supermoon happen, and how can it be photographed by those without telescopes?
What Is a Supermoon?
A supermoon occurs when the moon is closest to Earth at a time when it reaches its full moon phase, wherein we here at Earth can see one side of the moon in its entirety, per NASA.
The term supermoon was coined in 1979 and is often used to describe the moon when it is in its perigee - the point when the moon is closest to Earth. However, the term also has its roots in astrology, wherein astrologer Richard Nolle defined a supermoon as "a new or full moon which occurs with the moon at or near its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit," per Space.com.
People can see the difference with the naked eye between a normal moon phase and a supermoon by looking determining its brightness and size in the night sky.
Additionally, a supermoon can be captured on camera as soon as it rises from the horizon, but NASA states that the supermoon will eventually appear bigger as time goes on.
If you're curious when the next supermoon occurrence will happen, a separate Space.com article mentioned that the upcoming "Buck Moon" on July 13 is considered a supermoon, counting it as the third of four supermoons in a row.
How To Take A Picture Of A Supermoon?
Taking a picture of a supermoon isn't as different as taking a picture of a lunar eclipse. As with lunar eclipses, your best bet to bag yourself a great supermoon picture is a DSLR camera that has an interchangeable lens or a bridge camera with good zoom and manual controls, per another Space.com article.
For the lens, a 200mm telephoto lens or an equivalent will be your best bet for a supermoon shot. It allows you to zoom in further and frame the supermoon within your viewfinder.
Additionally, a sturdy tripod will do wonders when you need stability more than mobility.
As for camera settings, you'll have to turn your ISO setting all the way down to 200 to account for the moon's brighter appearance. This will keep the resulting picture's noise down and allow you to get a clearer shot, per CNET.
For aperture and shutter speed settings, set them to f/5.6 and 1/250 respectively. A smaller aperture will allow your camera to make the supermoon s their light source, while a faster shutter speed value allows you to get a more detailed picture of the supermoon.
If you're looking to add a foreground to the Supermoon, try looking for a location with a significant forground element like a tower or popular landmark. Afterward, look for a spot that allows you to utilize that foreground and prop your tripod there.
