A rare celestial event, known as a Blue Supermoon, is set to grace the skies above the UAE this Thursday, August 31.
This phenomenon, characterised by the appearance of a second full moon within a calendar month, occurs approximately every 2.7 years, earning it the colloquialism “once in a blue moon.” The next blue Supermoon will be on May 31, 2026.
The Dubai Astronomy Group shed light on this occurrence, clarifying that the term “Blue Supermoon” is unrelated to the moon’s actual colour.
They also revealed that the moon will become visible from 7PM onwards, with better visibility expected in areas away from the effects of light pollution.
The Dubai Astronomy Group has organised a special viewing event at the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre, situated within Dubai’s Al Mushrif Park. Tickets for this event are priced at AED60.
This celestial event is not the only one gracing the night skies this month. Just recently, a Saturn opposition provided a rare opportunity for stargazers.
An opposition occurs when Saturn and the Sun are positioned directly opposite each other in the night sky, resulting in Saturn’s exceptional brightness and making its ring system and moons more discernible.
Moreover, there is more celestial excitement on the horizon for the UAE, as next week could bring the sighting of Comet Nishimura.
Discovered by Japanese amateur astronomer Hideo Nishimura in mid-August, this interstellar object remains a mystery.
However, as it approaches the Sun, it is expected to become increasingly luminous. According to NASA, there is a possibility that Comet Nishimura may be visible without the need for a telescope.
How rare is the ‘Blue Supermoon’ appearing in skies?
According to NASA, a blue moon is a unique occurrence, can occur either twice within two months or once in a couple of decades.
The moon’s elliptical orbit around Earth, deviating from a perfect circle, is what makes this event extraordinary.
Roughly three to four times each year, the moon graces night skies when it reaches its closest point to Earth, known as the perigee.
During these moons, the moon appears larger than the average moon and significantly larger than when at its farthest point from Earth, known as the apogee.
Follow us on
