As 2025 enters its final quarter, astronomy enthusiasts in the UAE can look forward to three consecutive supermoons — including the largest of the year — along with three major meteor showers.
Supermoons on the Horizon
A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth, making it appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter. Khadijah Al Hariri, operations manager at Dubai Astronomy Group, said the events will be clearly visible from anywhere with an open horizon in the UAE.
The upcoming supermoons are:
- October 7 – Hunter’s Moon: Traditionally linked to the hunting season, when animals were well-fed and hunters stored meat for winter.
- November 5 – Beaver Moon: Named after the time when beavers build lodges and trappers set beaver traps before swamps freeze.
- December 5 – Cold Moon: Associated with the longest and coldest nights of the year.
Al Hariri advised that the moon appears largest when close to the horizon. Residents can view it after sunset at moonrise or just before sunrise at moonset. She recommended visiting open areas such as deserts, beaches, or elevated terrain to avoid light pollution, while safety precautions should be taken when going to remote places.
For photographers, she suggested framing the moon near landmarks like trees or buildings, using a tripod for stability, and adjusting exposure to prevent overexposure.
Meteor Showers to Light Up UAE Skies
Alongside the supermoons, the final quarter of 2025 will also feature three meteor showers:
- October 21 – Orionids: Originating from Halley’s Comet, the Orionids produce fast, bright meteors that travel up to 66 km per second, often leaving glowing trails. Up to 20 meteors per hour can be seen, best after midnight until dawn.
- November 17 – Leonids: Known historically for meteor storms, the 2025 shower is expected to show about 10–15 meteors per hour. The Leonids come from Comet Tempel-Tuttle and leave glowing trains across the sky.
- December 14 – Geminids: One of the strongest showers of the year, with the potential for over 100 meteors per hour. Originating from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, the Geminids often appear in colors such as yellow, green, blue, and red, and move slowly, making them easier to spot.
How to Watch Meteor Showers
To observe meteor showers, residents should head to dark locations away from city lights and prepare to wait patiently, as meteors can appear unpredictably. Al Hariri suggested bringing blankets or mats to comfortably lie down and take in the widest view of the night sky.