First Supermoon of 2023 Approaches: Key Facts and Viewing Tips

The first supermoon of 2023 will occur on Monday night, appearing larger and brighter than usual. It is visible to everyone under clear skies and occurs when the full moon is closest to Earth.

The moon will appear larger and brighter on Monday night due to a supermoon. This October supermoon is the first of three expected this year. A supermoon occurs when a full moon is closer to Earth in its orbit, making it look up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than the dimmest moon of the year, as per NASA.

Supermoons happen several times annually and sometimes coincide with other celestial events like lunar eclipses. Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, stated, "It's not really very unusual." People worldwide can view a supermoon without special tools if the skies are clear.

Supermoon Viewing Experience

However, noticing the difference can be challenging, especially if one hasn't observed the regular moon on preceding nights. Pitts explained, "If you go out and just look at the moon when it's very high in the sky, there is nothing relative to it to give you an idea of how big it looks."

This latest supermoon will bring the moon within about 224,600 miles (361,459 kilometres) of Earth. The closest supermoon this year is expected in November, with another following in December. These events offer a unique opportunity for sky gazers to witness the moon's enhanced size and brightness.

Upcoming Celestial Events

Looking ahead to 2026, two lunar eclipses are anticipated. A total eclipse will occur across much of North America, Asia, and Australia in March. In August, a partial eclipse will be visible across the Americas, Africa, and Europe. These events promise exciting viewing opportunities for astronomy enthusiasts worldwide.

The subtle differences in moon size and brightness during a supermoon are not easily noticeable without comparison to previous nights. Yet, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of our celestial neighbour's orbit around Earth.

With inputs from PTI