After sunset on Friday, astronomy enthusiasts will be captivated by the rise of the "Supermoon" or "Harvest Moon," a celestial event that won't occur again until September 17, 2024. This will be the last full moon in a rare series of four supermoons in 2023, the first occurring in July, followed by two in August.
The supermoon phenomenon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon's perigee or is close to it, which is the point at which the moon is nearest to Earth in its orbit. At perigee, the moon is 363,396 km (225,804 miles) away from Earth. The supermoon resembles a typical full moon but is 30% brighter than the dimmest full moon of the year and appears 14% larger. This means that the moon shines more brightly in the night sky.
This astronomical phenomenon has been associated with countless myths and speculations for centuries. Some have claimed that the supermoon can lead to volcanic eruptions, exacerbate earthquakes, and even influence human behavior on Earth.
