Cincinnati, Ohio, is set to experience the spectacle of the third consecutive “supermoon” of the year, where the moon appears larger and brighter than usual. This phenomenon, expected to occur Wednesday night into Thursday morning, is anticipated to be the most luminous full moon of 2024, as noted by NASA.

To celebrate this astronomical event, Cincinnati astronomer Dean Regas is organizing a public viewing party at the Ault Park Pavilion on 5090 Observatory Circle. The event, open to all, is a fantastic opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts in the Tri-State area to witness the supermoon up close.

The viewing party, scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., offers attendees the chance to explore various telescope designs, delve deeper into the mysteries of the moon, and, weather permitting, catch glimpses of a newly discovered comet. For those unable to attend, the Cincinnati Public Library, in collaboration with Dean Regas and the Cincinnati Observatory, provides free access to 10 Orion StarBlast 4.5 inch astronomical telescopes for cardholders.

A “supermoon” occurs when a new or full moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth. The moon’s elliptical orbit around Earth results in varying distances between the two celestial bodies. During the upcoming supermoon, the moon will be approximately 222,000 miles away from Earth.

According to NASA, supermoons can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the faintest full moon of the year. Given that full moons are named each month, October’s full moon is known as the “hunter’s moon,” following September’s “harvest moon.” This naming tradition signifies a time for winter hunting as the leaves begin to fall.

With the opportunity to witness this extraordinary natural phenomenon, residents of Cincinnati and beyond are encouraged to embrace the wonder of the supermoon and explore the mysteries of our celestial neighbor. Whether attending the viewing party or taking advantage of the telescopes provided by the library, there are ample opportunities to engage with the beauty of the night sky.