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Looking for something a little more out of this wo

Tonight, Perth gets a cracking celestial show with January’s Full Moon, better known as the Wolf Moon, and also, it’s also a Supermoon.

⏰ When to look from Perth

The Moon will rise in the east shortly after sunset, at 7.41 pm AWST.
It’ll be at its most eye-catching as it lifts above the horizon, when it looks huge, golden, and just a little bit suspiciously close.

🐺 Why is it called the Wolf Moon?

The name comes from Indigenous North American and early European traditions. January was often the coldest and harshest month of the year in the northern hemisphere, when food was scarce, and wolves were more likely to be heard howling near villages.

🌕 Other names for January’s Full Moon

Depending on the culture and region, January’s Full Moon has also been called:
• Ice Moon
• Cold Moon
• Frost Moon
• Old Moon
• Moon After Yule

🌍 What makes it a Supermoon?

A Supermoon happens when a Full Moon occurs close to perigee, the point where the Moon is closest to Earth in its slightly squashed orbit. Tonight, it’ll be just 363,086 km away.

That means:
• Around 7 percent larger than an average Full Moon
• Around 15 percent brighter

The technical term for a Supermoon is a Perigee Syzygy Moon. That’s when the Moon is either full or new, aligns with the Earth and Sun (syzygy), and is also at its closest point to Earth (perigee). The term Supermoon was coined by American astrologer Richard Nolle in a 1979 issue of Dell Horoscope magazine.

👀 How to enjoy it

• Look east just after sunset
• Find a clear view of the horizon
• Bonus points if you catch it rising through trees or buildings
• Optional howling is socially acceptable

Clear skies permitting, it’s a cracking way to start the year and a great reminder to look up.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #space #spacenews #astronomy #astronomynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthgram #perthhappenings #astrophotography #lunarphotography #moonphotography #astronomicalevent #wolfmoon #wolfmoon2026 #supermoon #supermoon2026 #JanuarySuperMoon #moon #fullmoon #luna #moonlovers #astrophoto #stargazing #perthobservatory #perthobs

The International Space Station (@iss) will fly over extremely bright on Monday, December 29th at 7:47 pm (Mag -3.6).

To use the attached maps, face south and hold the map above your head, and you'll see the path of the flyover.

#spotthestation #internationalspacestation #spacestation #iss #Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthnow #perthgram #perthevents #perthlife #perthtodo #perthhappenings #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #perthhills #perthisok #perthlife #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #perthentertainment #seeperth #whatsoninperth #stargazing #nightsky #perthobservatory #perthobs

We wish you all a merry Christmas today. Hopefully, you'll all have a great day with your families

#Perth #WA #westernaustralia #perthnews #perthevents #perthlife #perthtodo #perthhappenings #christmastime #christmas #christmas2025 #merrychristmas #xmas #santaclaus #christmasspirit #santa #christmasmagic #natale #christmascountdown #love #noel #christmasvibes #december #christmaseve #christmaslove #holidays #christmasday #perthobservatory #perthobs

Folks! You can track Santa tonight. Hopefully, we don't have a red sleigh-down moment tonight.

Track him here: https://loom.ly/O7T5zFo

#Perth #WA #westernaustralia #AllYourPresentsAreOurs #perthnews #wanews #perthlife #christmastime #christmas #merrychristmas #xmas #christmaseve #santaclaus #christmascountdown

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Nathan from @aero_vista_imagery onsite to capture a stunning series of aerial photographs showcasing Perth Observatory from above, and the results are truly something special.

Nestled in the forested Perth Hills, our historic site takes on a whole new dimension from the air. This elevated perspective beautifully captures the unique setting that has supported more than 125 years of astronomical discovery, education, and public engagement, surrounded by bushland and some of Western Australia’s best night skies.

A big thank you to Nathan from Aero Vista Imagery for his professionalism and for capturing Perth Observatory so beautifully, and to the @mundaringchamber of Commerce for making the connection. We’re grateful to work alongside talented local creatives who help showcase the Perth Hills at its very best.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #PerthHills #PerthHillsTourism #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #experiencewa #VisitPerth #DestinationWA #PerthTourism #DronePhotography #AerialPhotography #photography #perthobservatory #perthobs

The International Space Station (@iss) will fly over extremely bright on Christmas at 9:23 pm (Mag -3.4), and on Boxing Day at 8:35 pm (Mag -3.5).

To use the attached maps, face south and hold the map above your head, and you'll see the path of the flyover.

Image Credit: JAXA/Kimiya Yu

#spotthestation #internationalspacestation #spacestation #iss #Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthnow #perthgram #perthevents #perthlife #perthtodo #perthhappenings #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #perthhills #perthisok #perthlife #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #perthentertainment #seeperth #whatsoninperth #stargazing #nightsky #perthobservatory #perthobs

☀️ Wondering why today feels sooooo long?

It’s not just because it might be your last day of work for 2025 😉

Tonight, the December Solstice officially occurs at 11:03 pm (AWST). This marks the start of astronomical summer in the Southern Hemisphere and winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s also the longest day of the year for us here in WA.

At the solstice, the Sun reaches its southernmost point in our sky, sitting 23.5 degrees south of the equator. The place on Earth where the Sun appears directly overhead is called the Tropic of Capricorn. Fun fact, due to Earth’s slow wobble through space, known as precession, the Sun is now actually in the constellation Sagittarius, not Capricorn, when the solstice occurs.

In the 21st century, the December solstice falls on 21 or 22 December right through to 2043, with the occasional 20 December appearance returning later this century.

From tonight onward, the days will slowly begin to shorten as the Sun starts its long, gradual journey north in the sky, a reminder that Earth is always in motion, even when it feels like time is standing still.

Enjoy the extra daylight, summer has officially arrived 🌞

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #space #spacenews #astronomy #astronomynews #decembersolstice #december #southernhemisphere #summersolstice #summersolstice2025 #summer #solstice #summerseason #summertime #summerphotography #summers #summersun #summervibes #perthobservatory #perthobs

Once again this year, our Perth-Lowell Telescope Dome was lit up for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Our colleague Jodie Sims took this photo of the Perth-Lowell Telescope Dome lit up with the Pleiades star cluster over the dome

In Greek mythology, the Pleiades (The 7 sisters) were seven sisters, daughters of the Titan Atlas and the sea nymph Pleione. The sisters were pursued relentlessly by Orion the Hunter. To protect them, Zeus placed the sisters in the sky as stars. Even there, Orion continues to chase them, which is why the constellation Orion appears to follow the Pleiades across the night sky.

One detail that has fascinated skywatchers for centuries is that only six stars are usually visible to the naked eye. In the myth, this is explained by Merope, who dimmed her light out of shame for loving a mortal, unlike her immortal sisters.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #NoExcuse #OrangeTheWorld #16DaysOfActivism #16days #perthnow #perthgram #perthlife #perthtodo #perthhappenings #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #perthhills #perthisok #perthlife #whatsoninperth #photography #astrophotography #nightphotography #nightscape #nightsky #perthobservatory #perthobs

🎶✨ Music Under the Stars for the Whole Family ✨🎶

The Hills Symphony Orchestra is returning to the Perth Observatory for a very special outdoor concert, and families are warmly invited to join us for an evening of music, stars, and togetherness. To book your spots, click here: https://loom.ly/0Hvj2eo

📅 Saturday, 28 February
⏰ 7 pm (Gates open from 6 pm)
📍 Perth Observatory

Settle in with your picnic rug, outdoor chairs, or bean bags and enjoy a magical musical journey themed “Our Place in the Universe”. The orchestra will perform a fun and family-friendly program featuring music from iconic films, games, and beloved classics, all set beneath the night sky and surrounded by our historic telescope domes and peaceful bushland.

Arrive early to enjoy a picnic as the sun sets over the Perth Hills. Our Observatory shop will also be open, with soft drinks, water, and ice creams available to purchase 🍦

🎟 Ticket prices
• Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children): $70
• Adult: $30
• Concession: $20
• Child (ages 5–17): $10

This is a relaxed, welcoming event perfect for families and music lovers of all ages. Don’t miss this unique chance to experience live orchestral music under the stars ⭐

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #perthtodo #perthgram #perthevents #seeperth #WalkingOnADream #ThisisWA #justanotherdayinwa #wanderoutyonder #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #experiencewa #family #familytime #whatsonwa #mustdowa #sceneinperth #concert #CosmicSymphony #MusicUnderTheStars #HillsSymphonyOrchestra #perthobservatory #perthobs

Hey, book your free spots at the State Library of Western Australia for a free screening of A Search Beyond the Stars, a documentary exploring the remarkable history of Western Australia’s role in space exploration and the significant achievements along the way.

Following the screening, stay for a panel conversation diving deeper into the film, the stories behind it, and WA’s enduring connection to space science. You can book your spot using the Linktree link in our description.

🎥 A Search Beyond the Stars
📍 State Library of Western Australia
🗓 18 December
⏰ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
🎟 Free event

Created by Producer Luke Riches and Writer / Director Daniel Riches, this film forms part of WA Reflections, a short documentary series pairing emerging filmmakers with unique Western Australian stories preserved in the State Library’s collection.

If you love documentary storytelling, space history, or discovering WA’s hidden scientific legacy, this one’s for you.

#Perth #WA #westernaustralia #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #perthevents #perthlife #perthtodo #PerthHappenings #PerthWeekend #ThisisWA #FamilyFriendly #PerthEvents #AstronomyForKids #experienceperth #experiencewa #ThingsToDoInPerth #SeePerth #SummerEventsWA #FreeEventPerth #FamilyFriendlyWA #perthentertainment #SearchBeyondTheStars #WAReflections #WAFilm #WADocumentary #StateLibraryWA #perthobservatory #perthobs

✨🌠 Geminids Meteor Shower 2025 🌠✨

If you only watch one meteor shower this year, make it the Geminids.

The Geminids peak on the night of Sunday 14 December into the early hours of Monday 15 December, with the best activity expected between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am AWST. Better still, this year we’re blessed with a Waning Crescent Moon, meaning darker skies and more meteors.

From the outer suburbs of Perth and the Perth Hills, you can expect around 10–15 meteors per hour, while dark locations across Western Australia could see 30–50 meteors per hour during the peak. Even nights either side of the peak can still put on a great show.

The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini, which rises around 10 pm, but the trick is to look 30–45 degrees away from Gemini to catch longer, brighter streaks across the sky.

Our Geminids event at the Observatory is now sold out, but you don’t need a telescope to enjoy this show. Head somewhere dark, dress warmly, lie back, and enjoy one of the best celestial displays of the year.

For the ultimate experience, consider travelling into the Central Wheatbelt; even a simple rest area will deliver stunning skies.

Clear skies and happy meteor watching! 🌌

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #spacenews #space #astronomynews #astronomy #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #whatsinthesky #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #experiencewa #nightsky #stargazing #whatsinthesky #meteor #meteorshower #geminids #geminids2025 #photography #astrophotography #nightphotography #perthobservatory #perthobs

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