On Monday, July 3rd, skygazers will have the opportunity to witness a rare celestial event: The first of four supermoons due to rise this year! At 7:39 a.m. ET, when it reaches peak illumination below the horizon, the full moon will appear brighter than any other full moon we’ve seen in 2021.
According to Dr. Shannon Schmoll, director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, “A supermoon is when the moon appears bigger in our sky. As it orbits around the Earth, there are points in its orbit where it’s closer or further away from us.”
When the sun sets on July 3rd, look to the southeast for an unforgettable view of a supermoon! However, before you make any plans to witness this awe-inspiring display, remember that your local weather conditions can greatly affect visibility.
This month’s moon is expected to shine brighter and larger in the sky than usual, forming an awe-inspiring spectacle – a supermoon. Even though it may not be immediately apparent to the naked eye, the first full Moon of summer will appear slightly larger and will rest 224,895.4 miles (361,934 kilometers) from Earth.
July’s full Moon has many names: buck moon, hot moon, raspberry moon, and ripe corn moon. While buck moon derives from male deer’s antlers growing during a yearly cycle of shedding and regrowth, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, other monikers have been adopted from Native American peoples. Hot moon refers to summer weather while terms like raspberry moon and ripe corn moon signify the best times for harvesting fruit and other crops.
On this starry night, get ready for a show that you won’t want to miss – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch an incredible supermoon!
In 2023, there will be thirteen full moons rather than the usual twelve, with two of them being supermoons and one of them a blue moon. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the closest of these supermoons will occur in August, while the fourth and final takes place on September 29th. This is a rare opportunity for those looking to witness something extraordinary in our night sky. Don’t miss out!
Here are the full moons remaining in 2023 according to reports:
â—Ź August 1: Sturgeon moon
â—ŹÂ August 30: Blue moon
â—ŹÂ September 29: Harvest moon
● October 28: Hunter’s moon
â—ŹÂ November 27: Beaver moon
â—ŹÂ December 26: Cold moon