Stargazers in Pakistan are in for a stunning spectacle as the first super blue moon of the year is set to illuminate the skies tomorrow (Monday), according to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco).
This celestial event follows the Sturgeon Moon of August 1 last year and the captivating super blue moon on August 30, 2022. The super blue moon will be visible in Pakistan at 11:26 p.m. on Monday, marking the first supermoon of the year. Suparco has also announced that three additional supermoons are expected later this year on September 18, October 17, and November 15.
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A supermoon occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, approximately 363,300 kilometers away. During this proximity, the moon appears 14% larger and shines 30% brighter than usual, offering a spectacular view in the night sky.
Although “supermoon” is not an official astronomical term, it describes a full moon that coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth. Typically, there is one full moon each month, but on rare occasions, two full moons can occur within a single lunar month. The second full moon in such a case is known as a Blue Moon. Despite the name, the moon does not actually appear blue.
The term “blue moon” can be misleading, especially since this year’s blue moon is the first and only full moon of August. Astronomers explain that a blue moon refers to multiple full moons within a given period. There are two types: a “seasonal blue moon,” which is the third full moon in a season with four, and a “calendar blue moon,” which happens when there are two full moons in a single calendar month. This year’s blue moon is classified as a “seasonal blue moon,” occurring as the third full moon in a season that includes four full moons.
