Residents of Pakistan are in for a rare astronomical treat as the country prepares to witness a Super Blue Moon tonight, August 19, at 11:26 PM.
A Super Blue Moon refers to a full moon that appears up to 14% larger and brighter than normal due to its close proximity to Earth. During this phenomenon, the moon will be approximately 226,000 miles away from our planet, offering skywatchers an impressive sight.
The Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has confirmed that this celestial event will mark Pakistan’s first Super Moon sighting of the year, with the next three set to occur on September 18, October 17, and November 15.
“The moon’s orbit around Earth is not a perfect circle, and there are times when it’s closer to our planet. This is one of those occasions where the moon will look its biggest to us earthlings,” explained Dr. Javed Iqbal, an astrophysicist at SUPARCO.
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It is noteworthy that the upcoming Super Blue Moon is also a Seasonal Blue Moon, an event that won’t be observed again until 2037.
The term “Blue Moon” does not imply the moon will actually change color, but rather refers to a rare occurrence of a second full moon in a single calendar month.
Astronomers and space enthusiasts across Pakistan are gearing up to witness this magnificent celestial display, which is sure to captivate the public’s imagination and add to the country’s rich astronomical heritage.
