UAE skies light up for final supermoon of the year

Harvest moon appeared in the sky across the country on Friday evening

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  Al Raha Creek in Abu Dhabi is illuminated by the fourth and final supermoon of the year. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

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  UAE skies were illuminated by the last supermoon of the year on Friday night

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  This phenomenon occurs when a full moon or new moon reaches its nearest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear slightly large

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  The harvest moon comes after a 'blue' supermoon wowed stargazers on August 29

The UAE skies were illuminated on Friday evening by the fourth and final supermoon of the year.

The phenomenon happens when a full moon, or new moon, reaches the closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear slightly bigger than it usually does from our vantage point.

This moon was called a harvest moon because it happens closest to the autumn equinox.

The harvest moon came after a “blue” supermoon on August 29.

When there are two full moons within a calendar month, the second is called a monthly blue moon. As this is a fairly uncommon occurrence, it has given rise to the phrase “once in a blue moon”.

“It's not related to the moon's colour and happens roughly once every 2.7 years, making it a relatively rare event,” the Dubai Astronomy Group said at the time.

The next blue moon is on May 31, 2026.