The first supermoon of the year 2023 will be making an appearance on Monday, July 3. This is going to be the first out of the four supermoons that will rise in 2023. This is going to be the only chance for selenophiles to experience the brightest lunar display of 2023 as it will be comparatively 7 per cent larger than the normal moon appearances in the night sky.
What is a Supermoon?
A full moon occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon align perfectly and the Earth comes exactly between the Sun and the Moon. but, due to continuous movement of the Earth and the Moon, it lasts only for a few minutes.
A supermoon occurs when the full moon aligns with the closest point of its orbit to Earth, commonly known as the perigee. Which means that during this time, the moon is closer to Earth than normal due to which it appears larger and brighter in the sky.
When the moon reaches its full moon phase while being closer to the Earth along its orbit, it gives the appearance of being slightly larger, resulting in a phenomenon known as a supermoon, as explained by the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Although the size variation between a supermoon and a regular full moon may not be readily noticeable to the unaided eye.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, ‘The first full moon of summer will be more luminous and 361,934 kilometers in distance from Earth’. This celestial event happens about once every 14 months in which the moon appears about 14% bigger and 30% brighter.
Why is this moon named the Buck Moon?
According to the Almanac, July's supermoon is also known as the Buck Moon as July is when male deer, commonly referred to as buck, grow their antlers during their annual cycle of shedding and regrowth. The naming of this moon has its roots in the traditions of various Native American tribes, especially those hailing from the northeastern region of North America.
At what time will the Buck Moon be visible?
The buck moon, also known as perigee moon, will continue to mesmerize its viewers with its beauty a day before and after the full moon. Although, it will be difficult to track the full moon as it usually only lasts for a few minutes. Therefore, it is really important for you to keep an eye on the timings. The buck moon will be visible at 7: 39 am ET and at around 5:09 pm IST.
