First supermoon of 2023 to light up the sky on August 19

Stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts, get ready for a celestial treat! On August 19, Earth's inhabitants will have the opportunity to witness the first supermoon of the year.

According to Report, the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory, named after the renowned astronomer Nasreddin Tusi, has confirmed this exciting news.

This particular supermoon is dubbed the "Blue" Supermoon, a name that stems from the rare occurrence when the Moon can appear to have a bluish hue due to volcanic dust in the atmosphere following eruptions.

A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit. During this time, the Moon appears up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual, offering a spectacular sight for moon watchers.

On August 19, the supermoon will rise at 7:41 PM local time and remain visible throughout the night until the early morning hours. At its closest point, the distance between the Earth and the Moon will be a mere 361,969 kilometers (224,895 miles).