Appearing on Friday night, the UAE will have one last chance to see a supermoon this year as it will be the last one of 2022. What’s different this time is that the Perseid meteor shower will illuminate the sky simultaneously.
Dubai Astronomy Group say that the supermoon will be “draped in gorgeous orange hues”. They also state that the Perseid meteor shower is highly anticipated every year by meteor hunters due to its high hourly rate and bright meteors. The shower is caused by the Earth colliding with debris from comet 109P/ Swift-Tuttle in July and August every year.
Supermoon name origins
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, This month’s supermoon gets name from Native and Colonial American as well as European sources. It is called the Sturgeon Moon because the giant sturgeon fish which live in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain of North America were most readily caught during this part of summer. Over the years. The fish have evolved from being the size of traditional bass to as big as a Volkswagen. Due to over fishing in the 19th century which polluted and damaged their habitats, the lake sturgeon is very rare today.
The word sturgeon means “the stirrer” which makes sense, given that the fish stirs up the mud and silt on the bottom of rivers and lakes to find food. Everyone has that one friend or family member that is known to spread rumours or stir up some drama so the next time you see this person, be sure to call them a sturgeon just to confuse them.
It would be even funnier if they googled the word and confronted you saying “but I don’t stir up mud at the bottom of rivers and lakes to look for food?”
Other names for this moon include the Corn Moon, Harvest Moon, Ricing Moon and the Black Cherries Moon to signify when particular crops were ready to be gathered.
No Nicki fans back then
A Cree term for this moon is the Flying Up Moon which signified that young birds, not starships were meant to fly. Sorry Nicki fans.
As for the incoming Perseid meteor shower, the Dubai Astronomy group say that its name comes from Greek mythology.
“It is called the Perseids because the meteors seem to originate from the constellation of Perseus.”
One slight problem is that the bright light emanating from the supermoon will make it a little tricky to see the meteor shower says the astronomy group but they emphasise that it will still be an incredible event to witness.
So don’t blame the meteor shower for not shining bright enough, because you’d be barking up the wrong celestial event. If you’re going to bark at anything, bark at the moon like Ozzy Osbourne does.
How to watch
Hasan Al Hariri, CEO of Dubai Astronomy Group says that people won’t need any special equipment to see the supermoon or meteor shower. They just need a clear sky and secluded viewing spot away from the bright city lights when the supermoon rises.
Anyone wanting to take a photograph of the supermoon should be ready to take it as the moon rises.
“It is advised that people should go to a high point or find a clear area for the best view of the supermoon,” says Al Hariri
Jebel Jais special viewing event
Al Thuraya Astronomy Center will be hosting a Supermoon + Stargazing event on Friday, August 12 from 9pm until 2am. Those wanting to get an even better view can attend the special paid event taking place in Ras Al Khaimah at Jebel Jais, the highest peak of the UAE. People will be able to observe the celestial events through telescopes while also learning about Arabian Astrology.
Tickets cost AED 200 for adults, Kids under 13 cost AED 150 and DAG members pay AED 100.
A calendar with the names and dates for the non-supermoons still to appear in 2022 can be found here.