• The supermoon pictured over Dubai on Tuesday April 27, 2021. This occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth and it should be visible until Thursday night, depending on the weather. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The supermoon pictured over Dubai on Tuesday April 27, 2021. This occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth and it should be visible until Thursday night, depending on the weather. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The supermoon is seen behind Burj Khalifa in Dubai on Tuesday night. AFP
    The supermoon is seen behind Burj Khalifa in Dubai on Tuesday night. AFP
  • During this astronomical event, the Moon appears about 7 per cent bigger and 14 per cent brighter. EPA
    During this astronomical event, the Moon appears about 7 per cent bigger and 14 per cent brighter. EPA
  • The supermoon pictured next to Dubai's Burj Khalifa. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The supermoon pictured next to Dubai's Burj Khalifa. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The name of the cosmic event does not have much to do with the colour of the Moon. The event was called the "pink moon" in the 1930s because it occurs close to spring when flowers are in bloom. EPA
    The name of the cosmic event does not have much to do with the colour of the Moon. The event was called the "pink moon" in the 1930s because it occurs close to spring when flowers are in bloom. EPA
  • Nasa said other names for this moon included the "sprouting grass moon", "egg moon" and "fish moon". EPA
    Nasa said other names for this moon included the "sprouting grass moon", "egg moon" and "fish moon". EPA
  • The second and last supermoon of the year will appear on May 26 and will be even closer to Earth than the first one. EPA
    The second and last supermoon of the year will appear on May 26 and will be even closer to Earth than the first one. EPA

Environment

Pink supermoon glows over the UAE

The supermoon is visible in the Emirates until April 29

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir
UAE

April 28, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

A pink supermoon will be visible in the night skies of the UAE until April 29.

The stunning astronomical event first became visible on April 27, appearing 7 per cent bigger and 14 per cent brighter than a regular full moon.

The rare occurrence was photographed around the world.

"In the month of April, there is a full moon that will be a supermoon. It won't be the biggest one, but it is close to the Earth, so it will be clearly observable," said Hasan Al Hariri, chief executive of Dubai Astronomy Group.

"The Moon also marks the middle of the Ramadan month."

While, the phenomenon is called a pink supermoon, the colour does not have much relation to the event.

It was given that name in the 1930s because the "pink moon" appears in springtime when flowers are in bloom.

"In the 1930s, the Maine Farmer's Almanac began publishing American Indian Moon names for the months of the year," said US space agency Nasa.

“According to this almanac, as the full moon is in April, this is the pink moon, named after the herb moss pink, also known as creeping phlox, moss phlox, or mountain phlox.

"The plant is native to the eastern United States and is one of the earliest widespread flowers of spring.”

"There is nothing that will turn pink," Mr Al Hariri said.

"There are moons that have been named as the 'blood moon', 'worm moon' or 'war moon' – there are plenty of names.

"In our region, Arabs used to give names to the Moon according to the position of the Moon."

The next and last supermoon of the year will appear on May 26 and will be closer to the Earth than this one.

  • 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
    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
    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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
    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
    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
    A view of the Golden Horn, with a full pink supermoon rising behind Istanbul's iconic Galata Tower. AP Photo
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