The skies are blazing with astronomical events and supermoons this year! We're in for a treat in August 2024 with the Perseids meteor shower and the Sturgeon Supermoon. Here are the perfect viewing tips and more about upcoming astronomical events.
Who can resist the allure of a supermoon? The Moon, Earth’s best celestial buddy, sure knows how to steal the spotlight and leave us all starry-eyed. Our fascination with this luminous neighbour has been around for ages — its magic so enchanted ancient cultures that they wove it into their folklore.
And guess what? You and the little ones are in for a cosmic treat in Singapore in 2024! Get ready to have your eyes glued to the night sky because the next two weeks in Singapore will be out of this world — literally! Not only is a supermoon gearing up to make a grand appearance, but the Perseids meteor shower is also set to light up the skies. It’s like the universe planned the ultimate double feature just for us.
Meteor showers in Singapore 2024
What are meteor showers all about? A meteor shower is a celestial event in which many meteors are observed to radiate or originate from one point in the night sky. These meteors are caused by streams of cosmic debris called meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere at extremely high speeds on parallel trajectories, resulting in celestial displays streaking across the skies.
Perseids meteor shower on 12 – 13 August in Singapore
The Perseids meteor shower is one of the most popular meteor showers of the year, known for its bright, fast-moving meteors that light up the night sky. Occurring every year from mid-July to late August, it’s typically a must-see event for stargazers, with the peak usually happening around mid-August. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or just love a good sky show, the Perseids are spectacular!
The Perseids meteor shower, pronounced “pur-see-ids,” is like the rockstar of meteor showers, dazzling us with its bright meteors and high-energy show each year. These meteors get their name from their “home base” in the constellation Perseus, where they seem to originate as they streak across the sky. This year, the real spectacle happens on 12 to 13 August, when the meteors peak. This annual cosmic event occurs when Earth drifts through the debris left by the comet Swift-Tuttle, creating the coolest display of light as the particles burn up in our atmosphere.
During the peak, you can expect to see 50-100 meteors per hour, making it the ultimate celestial light show. And while the Perseids are impressive every year, there’s buzz about a potential meteor storm in 2028 that could deliver even more meteor showers. In Singapore, light pollution and cloudy skies can make viewing tricky, but heading to darker spots like parks or beaches will give you the best chance to catch the show.
And the best part? You don’t need any special gear — the Perseids are bright enough to enjoy with just your eyes. So, sit back and take in the cosmic magic!
Another meteor shower to look out for in 2024
Now if you couldn’t catch the Perseids, fret not! There’s another celestial show happening in December 2024 with the Geminids meteor shower. More deets on this to come.
Supermoons in Singapore 2024
What’s a supermoon?
What makes a moon super? No, it isn’t about sporting a cape and saving the planet! To understand supermoons, we’ve got to go back to the classroom and learn the following:
The moon orbits the Earth in an ellipse, an oval that brings it closer to and farther from Earth as it goes around. The farthest point is the apogee, about 405,500 kilometres from Earth on average. The closest point is called the perigee at about 363,300 kilometres from Earth. Are you still with us?
A supermoon occurs when the full moon appears at the perigee, where the moon is closest to Earth. Hence, we see a slightly larger and brighter full moon.
Sturgeon Moon is happening on 19 August 2024 in Singapore
Are you and the kiddos ready for some lunar magic? The Sturgeon Moon on 19 August will be this year’s blue moon. The Sturgeon Moon gets its name from Native Americans, who noticed that the large Sturgeon fish were more abundant in the Great Lakes and other major waters around this time of year.
The Sturgeon Moon will begin rising around 7pm on 19 August and should be at an easily appreciable height at around 9pm onwards in Singapore. The moon will reach its highest point in the sky around 1am on 20 August.
For the best views, catch the supermoon near moonrise or moonset when they’re close to the horizon. Clear skies will give you the best experience, so keep an eye on the weather. You can spot these supermoons from anywhere in Singapore, but why not make it special? Head to a beach, take a stroll through East Coast Park or enjoy a night picnic at Marina Barrage. It’s a fantastic, free activity for everyone, especially the kids!
Other supermoons to look out for in 2024!
- Harvest Moon on 18 September 2024
- Hunter’s Moon on 17 October 2024
- Beaver Moon on 15 November 2024
More deets on these supermoons to come!
Activities to do with the kiddos on the night of an astronomical event!
Get your kids excited about the meteor showers and supermoons with some fun activities! It’s an opportunity for them to understand more about the Earth and sleep just a tad later. Here are some ideas to keep them entertained and informed:
1. Make a moon snack
Make moon gazing tasty with this yummy treat from Thingstoshareandremember! It’s simple, and kiddos can get in on the fun. This rice cake snack can be tweaked according to what you have on hand to mimic the moon’s craters and surface.
2. Create some moon craft
As you watch the moon rise in the sky (weather willing), get kiddos to create their very own foil art moon using the following instructions!
3. Read some moon-themed classics
These moon-themed classics are perfect for the occasion
4. Learn some facts about the moon
Teach the kiddos some cool facts about the moon. Check out this article from National Geographic.
5. Tuck into some mooncakes
Seems like it’s perfect timing that the Mid-Autumn Festival is drawing near and that means we’ve got plenty of mooncakes to pick from. Take your pick and indulge with the kiddos during your moon-viewing party.
Happy skywatching!
