UAE skies: biggest and brightest supermoon of the year to be visible next week

Supermoon expected to be the brightest of the year and will appear 10 per cent larger than a regular full moon

A 'supermoon' pictured over Dubai in April 2020. Antonie Robertson / The National

The full super moon rises over Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi in November 2016. The moon is the closest its been to Earth since 1948. Christopher Pike / The National

A 'supermoon' rises over Dubai Sports City in June 2013. Pawan Singh / The National

The super moon rises over Media City in Dubai in August 2014. Antonie Robertson / The National

Photography enthusiasts take pictures of the moon on the Palm Jumeirah Dubai in June 2013. Lee Hoagland / The National

The 'supermoon' rises over the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi in June 2013. Antonie Robertson / The National

A 'supermoon' pictured from Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Mushrif Park in Dubai in January 2018. Pawan Singh / The National

A 'supermoon' pictured over Dubai in April 2020. Antonie Robertson / The National

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