Look up at tonight’s dazzling sky show!

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The skies of Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf will light up with a rare astronomical spectacle tonight as a total lunar eclipse coincides with the full moon of Rabi’ al-Awwal 1447 AH.

Astronomers say it will be one of the most significant celestial events of the year.

According to astronomer Mohammed Redha Al Asfour, the eclipse will last 5 hours and 27 minutes in all its stages, making it a long and striking occurrence.

The moon will rise at 5:44 p.m. local time and begin entering Earth’s penumbra at 6:28 p.m.

The partial eclipse will follow at 7:27 p.m., leading to the total eclipse at 8:30 p.m., when the moon will turn a dramatic dark red due to the refraction of sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere.

The eclipse will reach its peak at 9:11 p.m. before gradually fading. The total phase ends at 9:52 p.m., with the moon leaving Earth’s umbra at 10:56 p.m. and the penumbra at 11:55 p.m.

Adding to the uniqueness of the event, Saturn will appear alongside the moon throughout the eclipse, creating an exceptional viewing experience for skywatchers.

Al Asfour noted that the recommended time for the special eclipse prayer extends from the start of the partial eclipse at 7:27 p.m. until 10:56 p.m., a span of 3 hours and 29 minutes.

He explained that a lunar eclipse occurs when Earth’s shadow blocks sunlight from reaching the moon as the Earth aligns directly between the sun and the moon.

This will be the first total lunar eclipse visible in Bahrain since July 2018 and will not be seen again until December 31, 2028.

Al Asfour urged astronomy enthusiasts and photographers to seize the opportunity to observe and document the rare phenomenon, emphasizing that the eclipse is safe to view with the naked eye.