Biggest and brightest supermoon of the year lights up UAE skies

The Moon made its closest approach to Earth on Wednesday

The supermoon appears above Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

It was the third supermoon of four expected this year. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The full moon rises over the statue of King Faisal I, in central Baghdad, Iraq. AP

Pakistani camel keeper, Asdollah, sits on the sands under the supermoon at Al Marmoom desert, Dubai. AP

The supermoon, also known as the 'buck moon', rises over the New York City skyline. Reuters

A plane passes in front of a full moon Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Milwaukee. The moon's orbit brought it closer to Earth than usual. This cosmic combo is called a supermoon. One name for Wednesday’s full moon is the “Buck moon”==a reference to the time of year when new antlers are growing on male deer, or bucks. (AP Photo / Morry Gash)

The supermoon appears over Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Above the Liberation Tower in Kuwait City. AFP

At the landmark Martyrs' Statue, in Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP

The supermoon appears behind a lighthouse in Saint-Nazaire, France. Reuters

Above a hilltop, as Syrians camp in a tent on agricultural land, near the Tall Sallour village in the Afrin countryside. AFP

The supermoon rises over the Mediterranean Sea, in the southern coastal city of Mersin, Turkey. AP

A family watches the supermoon, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Reuters

In Zaragoza, Spain. The Moon was 357,418 kilometres away from the Earth, compared to the average distance of 384,472km. EPA

The supermoon rises over a house in the village of Putilovo, near St Petersburg, Russia. AP

The biggest and brightest supermoon of the year appeared in the UAE’s skies on Wednesday night.

The third supermoon of four expected this year, Wednesday's moon had the closest approach to Earth and was visible around the world.

It appeared across the Emirates from 6.07pm on Wednesday and could be seen with the naked eye.

It was 357,418 kilometres away, compared to the average distance of 384,472km.

The first supermoon appeared on May 16, at a distance of 362,127km from the Earth.

A second took place on June 14, which was 357,658km away, and the last one will be on August 12.

A supermoon refers to when the Moon’s orbit is closest to Earth at the same time as a full Moon.

“At its closest point, the full moon appears about 17 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than the faintest moon of the year, which occurs when it’s farthest from Earth in its orbit,” the US space agency Nasa said.

“Even though 17 per cent doesn’t make a big difference in detectable size, a full supermoon is a bit brighter than other moons throughout the year.”

The next supermoon will be at a distance of 361,409km.