Supermoon to illuminate Pakistan’s Sky on October 7, says SUPARCO

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has announced that a spectacular supermoon will be visible across Pakistan on the night of Tuesday, October 7, marking the first of three supermoons expected to appear in 2025.

A supermoon occurs when the Moon reaches the closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear larger and brighter than usual—approximately 14% bigger and 30% more luminous than an average full moon.

According to a SUPARCO spokesperson, the first supermoon will become visible at 8:47 p.m. (Pakistan Standard Time), rising from the eastern horizon shortly after sunset and setting in the west before sunrise.

The statement added that on October 7, the Moon will be at a distance of 224,599 miles (about 361,457 kilometers) from Earth, appearing 6.6% larger and 13% brighter than a typical full moon.

The supermoon will appear near the planet Saturn, which will be visible to the west of the Moon on Monday and Tuesday evenings.

SUPARCO noted that the brightest supermoon of the year will occur in November, when the Moon comes within 221,817 miles (approximately 356,980 kilometers) of Earth.

This celestial event will be visible not only in Pakistan but worldwide, offering a mesmerizing astronomical spectacle. Two more supermoons are expected to appear on November 5 and December 5.

Last month, Karachi’s skies were unable to reveal the rare “Blood Moon” (a total lunar eclipse) due to cloud cover. Meanwhile, in August 2023, a once-in-a-decade “Super Blue Moon” illuminated the sky — where “Blue” refers to the appearance of two full moons in a single month.