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Supermoon

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October 07, 2025

Prelims: Current events of national and international events

Why in news?

According to NASA, the first supermoon of 2025 will rise on October 7.

  • Supermoon – A full moon that occurs when a full moon or new moon coincides with a perigee, or the closest point in its elliptical orbit to Earth.
  • When the moon is near its perigee and also directly opposite the sun, the full moon appears about 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it is at its farthest point (apogee).
  • Scientific name – "Perigee-syzygy of the Earth-Moon-Sun system".
  • Key characteristics –
    • Orbital mechanics – The moon's orbit around Earth is not a perfect circle, but an ellipse, so the supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with a perigee.
    • Enhanced appearance – A supermoon's enlarged and brightened appearance is most noticeable to the naked eye when it is low on the horizon, where the "moon illusion" makes it seem even bigger.
    • Effects on tides – The moon's gravitational pull is strongest during a supermoon, causing higher-than-usual tides, known as perigean spring tides.
    • Frequency – Supermoons occur three to four times a year, always in consecutive months.
  • Supermoon variations –
    • Super Blood Moon – A combination of a total lunar eclipse and a supermoon. During the eclipse, the moon passes into Earth's shadow and takes on a reddish hue, appearing both larger and redder than usual.
    • Super Blue Blood Moon – Extremely rare event combines a supermoon, a total lunar eclipse, and a Blue Moon (the second full moon in a calendar month).

Reference

The Hindu | Supermoon

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