mm-news-@dmin Oct 7 supermoon is about 6.6% larger and 13% brighter than an average full Moon
ISLAMABAD: The first supermoon of 2025 illuminated the night sky over Pakistan on Tuesday. As astronomy enthusiasts flocked to popular viewing points to capture the celestial event.
The event took place around 7pm Pakistan Standard Time (PST), just hours after a clarification by Pakistan. Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) regarding international media reports claiming that the supermoon had risen a day earlier.
A Suparco official said that a timing overlap caused the spectacle to appear brighter a night earlier.
The Suparco official told Geo.tv that the October 6 event, called the perigee, marked the Moon’s closest approach to Earth and could also be defined as a supermoon.
The perigee occurred at 7pm Coordinated Universal Time on October 6. Which is 12am PST on October 7, according to the official.
The Suparco official said the full Moon, when it is completely illuminated, will appear at 8:47 p.m. PST.
Since both these events — full Moon and the perigee — occurred within a few hours of each other, it qualified as a supermoon, the official added.
A supermoon appears up to 14% larger and nearly 30% brighter than a typical full Moon.
Earlier, the Suparco stated that the Moon would be at a distance of 224,599 miles from Earth. Making it about 6.6% larger and 13% brighter than an average full Moon.
Astronomers expect this year’s brightest supermoon in November, when the Moon will be 221,817 miles from Earth.
The phenomenon will be visible across the world, including in Pakistan, promising a breathtaking night sky for observers and photographers alike.
Adding to the visual delight, the planet Saturn will appear close to the Moon, visible to the west (left) on the evenings of October 6 and 7.
Following this event, two more supermoons will adorn the skies on November 5 and December 5. Marking a memorable end to the year for astronomy enthusiasts.
