ISLAMABAD: Astronomy enthusiasts are gearing up for the first supermoon of 2025, set to illuminate the night sky in the first week of October, as the Moon reaches its closest approach to Earth. The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has confirmed that this celestial event will be visible across the globe, including in Pakistan, on October 7.
A supermoon occurs when the Moon’s orbit brings it at its nearest point to Earth, called the perigee, making it appear noticeably larger and brighter than a typical full moon. Officials from Suparco explained that this particular supermoon will seem approximately 14% larger and 30% more luminous than the average full moon. During this event, the Moon will be roughly 224,599 miles (361,400 kilometers) away from our planet.
This marks the first supermoon in nearly a year, following the last one in November 2024. The upcoming supermoons in 2025 are anticipated on November 5 and December 5. A fourth supermoon is also expected in early January 2026; however, it is not considered part of the current year’s cycle.
Typically, there are three to four supermoons annually. Experts also highlight an intriguing optical illusion: when a supermoon rises near the horizon, it can appear even larger to the naked eye, an effect that has captivated sky-watchers for generations.
