Last supermoon of 2022 rises Aug. 11: Watch it live online

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The last supermoon of the year will rise tonight (Aug. 11), and you can watch it online in the wee hours of Friday (Aug. 12) as it shines above Rome's historic skyline.

Weather permitting, the Virtual Telescope Project will begin its full moon livestream Friday (Aug. 12) at 01:30 a.m. EDT (0530 GMT). You can watch the last supermoon of the year at the project's website or here at Space.com.

"Seeing the full moon, especially when 'super,' rising/setting above Rome is a unique emotion," project founder Gianluca Masi wrote in a statement."Our satellite hangs above the legendary skyline of the Eternal City, with its glorious monuments, adding their magic to the experience."

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The August full moon, known as the Sturgeon Moon, will occur on Thursday (Aug. 11) at approximately 9:36 p.m. EDT and 6:36 p.m. PDT (Friday at 0136 GMT). It will occur when the moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth, making it a "supermoon" according to Fred Espanak, an eclipse expert and retired NASA astrophysicist.

We have already witnessed three supermoons this year, in May, June and July.

Surprisingly, supermoon streaks like the one we've seen this year are not particularly uncommon. Per Espanak's website, 2023 will also see four consecutive full supermoons, as will 2024. Even 2025 has three in a row.

If you're looking for a telescope or binoculars to observe the last supermoon of the year, our guides for the best binoculars deals and the best telescope deals now can help. But bear in mind that, during a full moon, the moon and sun are opposite each other and sunlight strikes the moon face-on. As such, it can be tricky to make out particular features on the lunar surface in detail due to the lack of shadows.

Editor's Note: If you snap a photo of the Sturgeon supermoon and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

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Daisy Dobrijevic joined Space.com in February 2022, having previously worked as a staff writer for All About Space magazine. She completed an editorial internship with BBC Sky at Night Magazine and worked at the National Space Centre, communicating space science to the public.

Daisy holds a PhD in plant physiology and a Master's in Environmental Science. Based in Nottingham, U.K., she covers all things space, with a special focus on solar activity and space weather. She also has a keen interest in astrotourism and is always on the lookout for the next northern lights adventure.

She will be a guest speaker aboard HX's Solar Eclipse Expedition in August 2026 and will join Hurtigruten as an onboard astronomer for a northern lights sailing in January 2027.