Pakistan to witness first 'Super Blue Moon' of 2024 tonight

Pakistan will witness the first super blue moon of the year 2024 tonight (Monday) at 11:26pm, according to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco).

The rare lunar event occurs when the moon appears bigger, brighter, and fuller than usual.

The term "blue moon" doesn't imply a change in the moon's color but is a term used to describe a rare occurrence. 

The origin of the term dates back to a 19th-century volcanic eruption that altered the sky's color, making the full moon appear blue.

There are two types of blue moons: seasonal and monthly. A seasonal blue moon occurs when there are four full moons in a season, with the third one being the blue moon. Tonight's super blue moon is a seasonal one. 

A monthly blue moon occurs when there are two full moons in a single month.

The moon will be at a distance of 226,000 miles from Earth, making it appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual. 

This super blue moon is special as the next one won't be visible until 2037. However, a seasonal blue moon will occur sooner.

The next three seasonal supermoons will occur on September 18, October 17 and November 15.