Tech Desk 
Aug 19, 2024
It's been too long since the skies of Pakistan were greeted with a celestial treat, and a super blue moon is set to quell that longing among those prone to feast their eyes with natural phenomena.
Super blue moon Pakistan
According to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), Pakistan will observe the first super blue moons of the ongoing year tonight at around 11:30pm (local time).
Compared in terms of the last schedule, the heavenly occurrence is the first major one after last year's Sturgeon moon which was beheld on August 1, 2023.
Read more: Get ready for 2024's first supermoon tomorrow
The on-the-horizon blue moon will be the first supermoon of 2024, with three more expected on September 18, October 17, and November 15.
What is supermoon?
The supermoon phenomenon occurs when the moon is closest to Earth, precisely at a distance of 363,300 kilometres, which makes it 30% brighter and 14% larger than its usual visual vibrancy.
The point to be noted is that “supermoon” is not an official astronomical term, yet it is used to describe a full moon that appears larger for being closer to Earth.
What is blue moon?
As far as the term “blue moon” is concerned, it refers not to the "blue" colour, but to the second full moon emerging consecutively in a single calendar month.
Although its name may suggest something otherwise, but blue moon indicates a rare alignment of a celestial body rather than an actual blue hue. Today's blue moon in Pakistan is the third full moon in a season of four.
