At dusk tomorrow, July 13, you’ll want to cast your eyes to sky. The year’s biggest supermoon is going to hold sway over Dubai skies, roughly at around 7pm UAE time. Called a Buck Moon, this supermoon is also bagging the spot of the brightest full moon of 2022 because it will be at a distance of just 3,57,264km away from Earth. Those are a lot of numbers, we know, but in moonlight years it’s the closest our beloved satellite will be to us.
You’re probably wondering, why is it called the Buck Moon
We were hoping you’d ask that.
The moniker comes from the fact that July is the month where bucks (male deer) shed and fully regrow their antlers in time for mating season, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Fun animal kingdom fact aside, we love the romantic ambiance a full moon sets. Dubai’s skyline, especially, comes alive under the moonlight and we can’t wait to see the pictures that will flood our social media feeds.
What is a Supermoon?
A Supermoon by definition is any full moon that is at its closest distance to Earth in its orbit (or perigree, as is the scientific term). Yes, the moon will appear larger than usual, in fact, a full 17% bigger and 30% brighter according to NASA. This particular supermoon is the third of 2022’s four supermoons and will appear 7% larger than your average full moon.
Last month, too, witnessed the appearance of a full moon – the Strawberry Supermoon and it flooded the UAE’s skies exactly a month ago on June 14. La Luna’s back at being big and beautiful but this Buck Moon is closer to Earth by 200km than the Strawberry Moon.
So whip those cameras out!
How to enjoy the Super Buck Moon in Dubai
Besides photographers, full moon season is also a grand opportunity for budding astronomy enthusiasts to witness the moon in all her blinding beauty. If you’re new to sky-gazing and perplexed about where to catch an unobstructed view of the moon head to the Al Thuraya Astronomy Center at Mushrif Park. The expert astronomers from Dubai Astronomy Group are conducting a Supermoon Sighting event, where they will guide you through the basics of astronomy.
Starting at 6pm, the event includes a lecture explaining the Supermoon phenomenon, followed by a Q&A session, a naked-eye observation session, and the coolest part – telescope observation. The astronomy centre has got some powerful bad boys that will put your run-of-the-mill binoculars to shame.
Tickets cost AED 70 and are available at here or call 0506246172
A supermoon is also a wonderful excuse for a night swim at one of these pools or a romantic moonlit dinner at this stunning restaurant with outdoor seating and views of the Palm Fountain dancing in the moonlight.
Whatever you choose to do, we hope you make the best of this celestial event as the next Buck Moon will only appear on July 3, 2023.