How to see the upcoming Flower Moon in the UAE

This celestial event will be visible in the skies on 22 May.

Celestial wonders have a way of captivating everyone. Recently, people in some parts of the United Kingdom were amazed by the surprising sight of the Northern Lights. And now, the UAE is about to witness an equally mesmerising event called the Flower Moon.

People across the emirates will be able to spot the Flower Moon on Wednesday, 22 May. It will make its appearance shortly after sunset. The best time to see it will be when it is rising, so find a good spot to get a great view. It’ll be in the sky until around 2am the following morning which gives you ample time to moon-gaze and grab some photos for the ‘gram. It will also appear full for about three days, from Tuesday night until early Friday evening.

This full flower moon event — which is unlike other full moons — signifies a change in season. It occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. This alignment allows the sun to fully light up the lunar surface, making the moon appear extra bright in the night sky. This is different from a new moon, wherein the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, making its dark side facing us.

This particular sighting is called the Flower Moon because it coincides with the time of year when flowers are in full bloom. Other names for this moon include the Planting Moon, the Milk Moon, and the Hare Moon, all reflecting spring.

The Flower Moon sighting follows the Eta Aquariid meteor shower, which took place earlier this month. While the meteor shower has since stopped, you may still be able to catch glimpses of meteors until 27 May.

GO: Visit www.ncm.gov.ae for more information.