The Year 2023 will experience "Four Supermoons" - Interesting Facts
In 2023, there will be four supermoons — one in July, two in August, and one in September — according to former NASA astrophysicist Fred Espanak and the Farmer's Almanac.
According to Espanak's definition of a supermoon — a full moon that is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit — we have four supermoons to watch this year.
This year's nearest supermoon will rise on August 30/31, 2023, at 9:35 p.m. ET (01:35 GMT on Aug. 31). This full moon is often known as a "Blue Moon" as it is the 2nd full moon within a single month.
Name, Time & Date of Four Supermoons of 2023 are -
1. Supermoon in JulyName - "Buck Moon"
Date & Time - July 3 at 7:39 a.m. ET (11:39 GMT)
Distance from Earth - 24,895 miles (361,934 km)
2. 1st Supermoon in AugustName - "Sturgeon Moon"
Date & Time - Aug. 1 at 2:32 p.m. ET (18:32 GMT)
Distance from Earth - 222,158 miles (357,530 km)
3. 2nd Supermoon in AugustName - "Blue Moon"
Date & Time - Aug. 30 at 9:35 p.m. ET (01:35 GMT on Aug. 31)
Distance from Earth - 222,043 miles (357,344 km)
4. Supermoon in SeptemberName - "Harvest Moon"
Date & Time - Sept. 29 at 5:58 a.m. ET (09:58 GMT)
Distance from Earth - 224,657 miles (361,552 km)
Although the moon will appear about 30% brighter and 14% larger than usual, it will be quite difficult to spot this difference with the naked eye.
The name "Supermoon" has only been used in the last 40 years, but it gained popularity in late 2016 when three supermoons happened in a row.
The November 2016 supermoon was also the closest supermoon in 69 years, although a closer supermoon will rise in the 2030s.