The first of four supermoons set to grace the skies this year is set to reach its peak tonight, looking even bigger and brighter than any others we've seen this year.
The supermoon in July is also known as the Buck Moon, as it signifies the new antlers that emerge on a deer buck's forehead at this time of year. They grow new ones at this time of year, having shed their previous pair during spring.
During the July 3 supermoon event, the moon will be near its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual. It was first visible after sunset on Sunday (July 2) with peak visibility expected on tonight, reports Lancs Live.
When is the July full Supermoon?
Tonight's full Buck supermoon will be visible in the UK and around the world. The moon will appear full for several nights after this date.
The Buck supermoon will reach peak illumination on the morning of July 3, at 7:38am, UK time (2:38am ET, 11.38pm on Sunday in Pacific Time). However, as this is after the Moon sets at 3:55am in the UK, we will not be able to see the exact moment when it reaches syzygy, BBC Science Focus reports.
Syzygy is the name given to a configuration that occurs for just a moment, when the Moon is directly between the Sun and the Earth, in a straight line.
"Strictly speaking, the full moon occurs at a very specific moment in time – down to the second! – when the moon is directly opposite the Sun in the sky," explains Dr Darren Baskill, an astronomer and astrophotographer based at the University of Sussex.
"But to our eyes, the Moon will look full, or almost full, for two or three days either side of the exact moment that the full moon occurs."
Today, the moon will rise late, at 10:14pm (UK time). The Buck supermoon will appear in the constellation of Sagittarius (southeast).
Where is the best place to see the Buck Moon from?
The supermoon can be seen from anywhere in the UK, but the less polluted your area is the better.
"As long as the night is clear of clouds it will be easy to spot whether you are in a light-polluted city or a dark area of countryside."
What is the Moon illusion?
The Moon illusion is when the Moon appears bigger during moonrise and moonset, when it’s still low on the horizon. Unfortunately, it’s only our human eyes playing tricks, but it’s great if you want to catch a few snaps of the moon.
Scientists are still unsure as to why this occurs, but it’s possible that our brain compares the moon with distant objects on the horizon (such as buildings or wind turbines), which fools us into thinking it’s much larger.
If you capture any shots of tonight's Buck Moon in Northern Ireland be sure to share them with us on news@belfastlive.co.uk or via Facebook and Twitter.
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