Okay, so I know you definitely know what a Super Moon is (because I tell you every time it happens), but have you ever heard of a Super New Moon? This Sunday, April 27th a Super New Moon will take to the skies and leave all will the question of “Will it be visible in the UAE?” I have all the details you need to know, so keep reading to find out more.
Also read: UAE: 5 Incredible Spots To Catch The Lyrids Meteor Shower
Wait… What’s A Super New Moon?
Let me break it down for you. A new moon is the phase when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. That means the sunlit side of the Moon faces away from us, so we can’t actually see it at all. Now, a supermoon (whether full or new) happens when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. That spot is called perigee. When a full moon happens near perigee, it looks noticeably larger and much brighter. Hence the “super” part of its name. But what about when a new moon happens at perigee? That’s what we call a super new moon. It’s just as close, just as “super,” but completely hidden from view.
And It’s Happening This Sunday?
Yup, that’s right. This Sunday, April 27, the moon will only be 357,141 kilometres away from the Earth, making it the closest New Super Moon we’ll experience this year! That’s more than 27,300 kilometres closer than the average Moon-Earth distance of around 384,472 kilometres. So yes, this super new moon is a pretty big deal astronomically speaking.
But Will We Be Able To See It?
And the answer to the question of the hour comes in at a disheartening ‘no’. Even though it’s a super new moon, UAE nor the rest of the world will be able to see it. And it’s not a matter of finding a dark spot, far away from any lights, that’s just the way a new moon works. So, if you’ll have to put away your hopes of catching a glowing lunar spectacle from your balcony in Dubai, until we’re hit with the next Super Moon in October (predicted).
So no, the UAE won’t be seeing a dazzling moon show this Sunday – but that doesn’t make this event any less awesome!
