The biggest and brightest full moon of the year, known as the Hunter’s Moon, will be visible from the UAE on Thursday. This supermoon occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear about 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual, according to NASA.

The Moon travels in an elliptical, or oval-shaped, orbit around Earth, causing its distance to change throughout the month.

Khadijah Ahmed, operations manager at the Dubai Astronomy Group, explained, “The Moon looks bigger when it’s near the horizon due to the ‘moon illusion.’ While the Moon’s actual size doesn’t change, our brains perceive it as larger next to objects like trees or buildings.”

When and Where to See the Hunter’s Moon

The best time to catch a glimpse of the supermoon in the Emirates is after moonrise, around 6 PM. Ms. Ahmed suggests visiting beaches and open areas for optimal viewing.

The Dubai Astronomy Group will host a special event at the University of Dubai from 7 PM to 9 PM, where stargazers can observe the supermoon through telescopes. Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend a lecture about the supermoon, covering its science and visual effects. Tickets are priced between Dh40 and Dh80.

If you miss the Hunter’s Moon, don’t worry—there’s one more chance to see a supermoon this year on November 15, which will coincide with the Leonid meteor shower, another exciting event for stargazers.