August Supermoon 2023: Date, Time, and when to watch it in India

August Supermoon 2023: The August supermoon, a phenomenon in which the moon appears slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon, will be visible to skywatchers on August 1.

A supermoon occurs when the orbit of the full moon brings it to its closest point to Earth, known as perigee. The moon will be 357,530 kilometers from Earth’s surface on August 1. The moon appears larger and brighter than usual during this celestial alignment, projecting an ethereal glow upon Earth. The event’s technical name is perigee-syzygy, but the term “supermoon” has acquired popularity due to its captivating description.

The elliptical orbit of the moon causes its distance from Earth to fluctuate throughout the lunar cycle. When the moon reaches its perigee, it is approximately 48,280 kilometers closer to Earth than at its farthest point, which is known as its apogee. This proximity causes the moon to appear 14% larger and up to 30% brighter than a typical full moon.

The first supermoon of the year occurred in July, and the fourth and final one will occur in September of 2023. In 2018, August witnessed two full supermoons for the last time. The subsequent one will occur in 2037.

The August 1 supermoon will appear full and luminous as it rises above the southeast horizon after sunset. August 2 at 12:02 a.m. India time will be the best time to view the supermoon. The second supermoon of the month will occur on August 31, but it may not be visible from India due to its apex occurring at 7:05 a.m.

This year will feature thirteen supermoons. After two supermoons in August, including a blue moon that will be the closest to Earth this year, the grand finale of the series will occur on September 29.