Get your cameras at the ready, because the fourth and final supermoon of the year is set to make an appearance this week.
And for once, the weather looks like it might actually be on our side for it.
The typical gloomy Greater Manchester weather has predictably meant that we haven’t had the best view of the three previous supermoons that appeared in UK skies this year, but with the country currently in the midst of what is expected to be declared a heatwave – and with a heat-health warning having already been issued – it’s shaping up to be a different story for the ‘Sturgeon Moon’.
Astronomy lovers are also in for a real treat too, because the Sturgeon Moon is looking like it will be bigger, brighter, and closer to earth than all other full moons this year.
A special occurrence that only happens a few times a year, a supermoon happens when a full or new moon passes at its closest point to Earth, which makes it appear especially large and bright in the sky as they cast about 30% more light on the planet than when the moon is at its dimmest.
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“During a supermoon, the moon is at a stage where it is closest to Earth,” explained Sara Russell from the Natural History Museum.
“This will typically last for two to five full moons, so that’s why there are multiple supermoons in a row.
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The last supermoon of 2022 will be visible over Greater Manchester skies this week / Credit: Gerald England (via Geograph)
“After that, the moon goes into the more distant part of its orbit.”
But where did the name ‘Sturgeon Moon’ come from? Well, according to Live Science, it’s believed to be connected to how many fish were caught under the moonlight.
“The sturgeon moon’s name comes to us from the Algonquin tribes of what is now eastern North America, as large sturgeon fish were more easily caught in the Great Lakes at this time of year,” the science platform explained.
The Sturgeon Moon is expected to be seen above Greater Manchester and UK skies this Friday, with the peak time for viewing with the naked eye at 1:36am GMT.
Channel 4 is looking for Mancs who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wanted to see how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now’s your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: “Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?”
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city – used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare – with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden – which is part of ITV Studios – for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on Mancs and people up and down the country with the ‘courage and ingenuity’ to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let’s prove what Mancs are made of.
Hundreds of katsu curries are being given out for FREE in Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of katsu curries are being dished up and given out for free in Manchester this week, but only for certain people.
And those lucky people will be students.
That’s right… a new semester is upon us, and thousands of freshers and returning students are descending on the city and Manchester‘s many universities for another year. But the life of a student isn’t exactly the cheapest sometimes, especially for those who haven’t had to live on a budget before moving out or into halls.
But to make things a little easier, Tampopo has announced it’ll be serving hundreds of one of its most popular dishes for free this week.
Tampopo is celebrating National Katsu Curry Day in the most delicious way possible, by giving away 700 Katsu Curries with rice for free, exclusively to freshers and students this Sunday (27 September).
Whether you’re brand new to the city, settling back into uni life, or you’re simply in need of a katsu fix, students can head to their nearest participating Tampopo and tuck into a hearty meal without needing to spend a penny.
100 katsu curries will be available each from 12-2pm at both Tampopo restaurants in Manchester city centre – which are on Albert Square, and in the Corn Exchange – or if you head over to the Trafford Centre, both the Tampopo there and the East Street sites are taking part.
“[Our] Katsu Curry has long been one of our most-loved dishes, so National Katsu Curry Day felt like the perfect excuse to give students a proper welcome to the new academic year,” Tampopo said in a statement.
So, are you feeling hungry then? The offer is exclusively available for takeaway only to freshers and students with a valid student ID, which they must present on collection.
100 portions are available at each participating location, and just one free katsu curry with rice will be available per person.
Emily Sergeant -
10th August 2022 
