Supermoon: Tips for photographing or just soaking up tonight's 'extra-super Moon'.

By Kellie Scott

It’s happening —a supermoon is coming to skies near you tonight.

The event occurs when a full or new moon passes closer to Earth in its monthly orbit.

The November 14 edition is particularly amazing because it will be “the closest full moon to date in the 21st century,” according to NASA.

So whether you are keen to snap the perfect moon selfie, or just take it all in — we have some tips to give you the best experience.

Getting the perfect shot

Astronomer and writer for Australasian Science magazine David Reneke said practising with aperture settings on your camera was important.

“Use two or three different settings, practice with exposure times of quarter, half and one second,” he said.

Reneke said an SLR or DSLR on a tripod was essential. This is echoed by National Geographic photographers, who say snapping the supermoon requires “the biggest lens you can find”.

Timing is also important — even if it is just to create an illusion.

Reneke said the best time to shoot was when the Moon started to rise above the horizon, when it appeared 10 to 15 per cent larger.

“Also get a clear view of the sky, because it might turn that beautiful pink-tan colour,” he said.

Moonrise tonight in Sydney is 7:07pm AEDT, Melbourne 7:40pm AEDT and Brisbane 5:51pm AEST.

NASA senior photographer Bill Ingalls recommends photographing the moon with a land-based object like building or trees to give it a sense of place.

“Don’t make the mistake of photographing the moon by itself with no reference to anything,” he writes on the NASA site.

Smartphones can do an OK job

If you are just relying on your smartphone for that breathtaking shot, it can be done, according to Ingalls.

“You’re not going to get a giant moon in your shot, but you can do something more panoramic, including some foreground that’s interesting,” he said.

National Geographic’s Michael Christopher Brown’s tips include using your optical lens only, not your digital zoom (crop later if you need to), and put your phone on a tripod to stabilise it.

A clean lens is also essential for clarity — so get wiping.

But Reneke is less optimistic, saying anyone using a smartphone will be disappointed with the results.

Putting the camera away and just taking it all in could be the best way to see the supermoon.

“It’s not going to be huge, it will be about 15 per cent bigger, but it will certainly be bright and it will be so bright that you will be able to read the newspaper at midnight,” Reneke said.

“Enjoy it, you don’t need a telescope or binoculars, although they would make it look nice.

“It’s a free show and you won’t see this again for a long time.

“This was last seen in 1948 and won’t be seen until 2034. Even if you couldn’t give two hoots about the Moon, it’s something you can do with the kids.”

Too busy Monday night?

Whether the weather lets us down or you are too busy to see the moon, do not fear — there is a second chance on Tuesday night.

“The full moon becomes technically a full moon in-between the two days, Monday and Tuesday, if people wanted to try again on Tuesday evening they should see pretty much the same thing,” Reneke said.

Later in the week there are some other spectacles to witness.

“Tuesday morning there is a meteor shower, Taurids [and] on the 16th we’ve got the Leonids meteor shower. All in one week we have a pretty good sky,” Reneke said.

If not even a supermoon can get you off the couch, Slooh – Space for Everyone will be live streaming it with a discussion of the special event.

Note, Slooh is calling it the beaver moon — and rightly so.

The more traditional title is because it marks the time when hunters would set beaver traps before waters froze over to make sure they had enough furs for winter.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.