Supermoon Illuminates Global Skies with Stunning Spectacle
First of Dual Supermoons Delights Global Observers with Breathtaking Exhibition
chandni
On Tuesday night, the first of the anticipated pair of supermoons for this month enthralled spectators worldwide, captivating photographers who captured the stunning lunar phenomenon.
The full moon appeared unusually larger and more radiant, drawing closer to Earth than its typical distance, at a mere 222,159 miles away, as reported by The Associated Press.
This proximity categorizes it as a "supermoon," a term introduced in 1979 to describe a new or full moon that occurs when the satellite is within 90% of its perigee—its closest approach to Earth—according to NASA's official website.
Referred to as the Sturgeon Moon by the Algonquin tribes of the northeastern United States due to its appearance in August, this celestial event is historically associated with the optimal time for catching large fish in the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water.
Yet, this spectacular lunar showcase is not a singular occurrence this month.
On August 30, the moon will venture even closer to Earth, at a mere 222,043 miles away, as per the AP's report.
The convergence of two full supermoons within the same month last took place in 2018, and such an event is not anticipated to recur until 2037, as projected by Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, the visionary behind the Virtual Telescope Project, as shared with the AP.
