The biggest and brightest supermoon of the year will be visible in UAE skies next week, while some parts of the world will witness a rare “blood moon” total lunar eclipse.
UAE skies will become brighter with a full moon, called a supermoon, on May 26. It will appear 10 per cent larger than a regular full moon.
Only people in parts of the US, Australia, South America and eastern Asia will experience the total lunar eclipse, with the Moon taking on a reddish glow.
On April 27, a pink supermoon lit up the skies in the Emirates. It appeared 7 per cent bigger and 14 per cent brighter than a regular full moon.
“The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth, as the Sun and its face will be fully illuminated,” the Dubai Astronomy Group said.
“This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the ‘Full Flower Moon’ because this was the time of year when spring flowers appeared in abundance. It has also been known as the ‘Full Corn Planting Moon’ and the ‘Milk Moon’.”
The upcoming astronomical event will be the second of three supermoons to appear in 2021.
A supermoon occurs when the Moon makes its closest approach to the Earth, making it appear larger and brighter than usual.
During the total lunar eclipse, Earth will line up between the Sun and the Moon. This will light up the Moon’s surface, making it appear red.
The next and last supermoon of the year will be visible on June 24.
Pink supermoon seen around the world – in pictures
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A pink supermoon is seen in the background as people relax on the beach in Miami Beach, US, on June 24, 2021. Four supermoons will grace the skies in 2022. AFP -
An aeroplane is pictured against an almost full pink supermoon, in Iraq's southern city of Basra. AFP -
A man watches on as an almost full pink supermoon rises over Istanbul in Istanbul, Turkey. Getty Images -
A pink supermoon is pictured near a lighthouse in Tirana, Albania. Reuters -
A full pink supermoon rises above the Emirates Air Line cable car in London, Britain. Reuters -
A full pink supermoon rises over the skyline of New York and Empire State Building, as seen from West Orange, in New Jersey, US. Reuters -
A full pink supermoon is seen rising behind the Nubble Lighthouse on Cape Neddick, in York, Maine, US. EPA -
A full pink supermoon rises above Havana, Cuba. AFP -
A pink supermoon rises behind the stork in a nest in the village of Rzanicino near Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia. EPA -
A full pink supermoon sets over the famous Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. Getty Images -
A full pink supermoon rises behind Glastonbury Tor in Glastonbury, England. Getty Images -
A full pink supermoon rising behind a statue of the Christ in Wolxheim, France. AFP -
A full pink supermoon rises over Nicosia on the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus. AP Photo -
The moon rises to become a pink supermoon among the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay, in Singapore. Reuters -
A view of the Golden Horn, with a full pink supermoon rising behind Istanbul's iconic Galata Tower. AP Photo
