Stargazers can look forward to the Hunter Supermoon shining in the UAE skies this month. Before an ultra-rare, once-in-a-generation comet will be at its most visible this month, we will see the biggest supermoon of the year on Thursday October 17.
And in the week that the UAE has ramped up its space exploration efforts with the establishment of a Space Agency, there’s no better time to look up at night for a spectacle.
We’ve had our fair share of supermoons this year with one of the most recent being a harvest moon.
The Hunter Supermoon, also known as the Hunter’s Moon, takes its name from the time of year when hunters would have been traditionally most active. so don’t expect the moon to resemble a hunter in any way, shape or form (though we do now kind of want to see this).
And what sets this one apart is that it will appear to be the brightest, biggest and most full moon of the year according to the BBC’s Sky at Night Magazine.
This is because the moon will be at its closest point to earth in its orbit which is also known as perigee.
It will be the second last supermoon of the year, with another one on the way on Tuesday November 15.
Dubai Astronomy Group will be hosting a special event at the University of Dubai to talk people through the phenomenon and provide a telescope for the best possible view.
But if you can’t make it to the Dubai Astronomy’s viewing event then there are plenty of other spots in the UAE to see the moon at its brightest.
This park is open until 11.30pm, meaning you’ll be able to get in a few good viewing hours of the Moon before the park closes. Filled with trees, manicured lawns and walking paths it’s a nice place to take a stroll in the moonlight. Floodlights illuminate the space when the sun sets, but you’ll still be able to get a good view of the night sky.
If you have a 4×4 car you can take a trip to Al Qudra Lakes for a moongazing session. Since this area is located away from high-rise buildings and roads, it makes for a great spot to see the sky. You can barbecue in allotted areas but if you prefer fast food then Last Exit Al Qudra, where you’ll find food trucks, is a nine-minute drive away.
Hatta does sometimes suffer from some light pollution, but the further into the Hajar mountains you venture, the better the views. Only less than a two-hour drive from the city of Dubai, there are also spots to camp overnight if you can brave the heat.
Beach picnics are one of the many perks of living in a coastal city. When the sun sets on Thursday evening, why not pack up a hamper with snacks and head to Jebel Ali Beach to watch the Moon? This beach is free to the public and there are car parking spaces (if you prefer to sit in your car and blast the A/C).
One of Dubai’s most popular free beaches, Kite Beach is open at night allowing you to take a walk and see the night sky. If a picnic isn’t your thing then you can visit one of the many beachside restaurants that stay open until midnight.
If you fancy heading to a viewing platform then The Viewing Point is a 70-metre walkway at Dubai Creek where you’ll get a great view of the creek and Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai. You won’t be able to sit down for a picnic here but you’ll be able to walk down to the harbour where there are plenty of benches and restaurants.
A quiet and open spot (away from night pollution) is always a good bet for stargazing. Around 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi towards Al Ain is the Al Quaa Milky Way Spot.
You’ll need a 4×4 to get there and be apt at desert driving. It has its own location tag on Google Maps (23.604633,54.750256.) and is one place where you are sure to see something mesmerising in the sky.
