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Double moon in Dubai: Media campaign celebrates Hope Probe’s arrival to Mars

The sight of them, while realistic, was the product of new technology that utilized a 40-metre screen and two 100-meter cranes to create the illusion of Deimos and Phobos—the names attributed to the moons. (Screen grab/ Dubai Media Office)
The sight of them, while realistic, was the product of new technology that utilized a 40-metre screen and two 100-meter cranes to create the illusion of Deimos and Phobos—the names attributed to the moons. (Screen grab/ Dubai Media Office)
Footage of the screen and cranes being set up was also included in the video, allowing more insight into how this campaign was planned and executed. (Screen grab/ Dubai Media Office)
Footage of the screen and cranes being set up was also included in the video, allowing more insight into how this campaign was planned and executed. (Screen grab/ Dubai Media Office)
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09 Feb 2021 07:02:39 GMT9
09 Feb 2021 07:02:39 GMT9

Arab News Japan

Onlookers in the United Arab Emirates were stunned by sightings of two moons in the sky, carried out by the UAE Government Media Office to celebrate the long-anticipated arrival of the United Arab Emirates’ orbiter, Amal, scheduled to land on Mars on Feb 9.

The two moons could be seen clearly from the Al Qudra region of Dubai, a desert landscape that offers the seclusion necessary to observe the night sky with clarity—and thus, the two Martian moons.

A video that circulated on social media, shows a compilation of videos of people driving by who spotted the two projections in the distance while expressing shock and intrigue.  

The video also offered clarification by sharing: “The truth behind the double moon sighting? Mars has two moons: Phobos and Deimos. And as Arabs are Arriving there on 09.02.2021. We wanted everyone to see what life is like on the Red Planet.”

Footage of the screen and cranes being set up was also included in the video, allowing more insight into how this campaign was planned and executed.

The Media Office said in a statement to Gulf News, that “the idea was to create a way that allows everyone to see what Hope Probe is capturing 500 million miles away.”

The sight of them, while realistic, was the product of new technology that utilized a 40-metre screen and two 100-meter cranes to create the illusion of Deimos and Phobos—the names attributed to the moons.

Mars has two moons discovered in 1877, named after the horses of Greek God Ares, and both have a surface that resembles asteroids, according to NASA.

These moons were discovered by American astronomer Asaph Hall, whose career and reputation as an astronomer was largely influenced by this discovery.

This media stunt was part of the UAE’s effort to generate excitement and enthusiasm for the historic event.

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