Here’s When The Super Blue Moon Will be Visible in Pakistan

As a super blue moon lights up the sky, skywatchers in Pakistan are in for a treat tonight, August 19. This will be the first time this year that such a rare celestial event is visible. This stunning event follows last year’s celestial highlights: a Sturgeon moon on August 1 and another super blue moon on August 30, which captivated viewers worldwide.

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has announced that Pakistan will experience its first supermoon of the year tonight at 11:26 PM. The upcoming supermoons will occur on September 18, October 17, and November 15.

When the moon is closest to Earth, about 363,300 kilometers away, it shines 30% brighter and appears 14% larger, a phenomenon known as a supermoon. Although “supermoon” is not an official astronomical term, it refers to a full moon that occurs when the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth.

A full moon happens every month, but occasionally there are two full moons in a single month of the lunar calendar. The second full moon in such a month is termed a Blue Moon. Despite the name, it doesn’t refer to the moon’s color.

The term “Blue Moon” often confuses stargazers, especially when it’s the only full moon in August this year. Astronomers clarify that a “Blue Moon” describes a situation with multiple full moons in a specific period.

There are two types of Blue Moons: the third full moon in a season with four full moons, and the other is the second full moon within the same calendar month. This year’s Blue Moon is classified as the “third full moon in a season of four.”