Author: V. Iyengar, Dubai Chapter

Tonight and extending into tomorrow morning, a rare total lunar eclipse will be visible to skywatchers across the UAE.

The eclipse will last for about five hours, with 1 hour and 22 minutes of totality — making it one of the longest total lunar eclipses in recent years.

Lunar eclipses occur worldwide a few times each year, but most are partial or penumbral. Total lunar eclipses, especially ones of this duration, are uncommon.

As the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, its shadow will be cast across the lunar surface. The eclipse will enter totality when the Moon is fully immersed in the Earth’s central shadow, cutting off all direct sunlight.

During this stage, shorter blue wavelengths of sunlight are scattered away, while the longer orange and red wavelengths reach the Moon, giving it a reddish “blood moon” glow.

According to The National, the eclipse will begin at 7:28 PM GST with the penumbral phase, when the Moon is only partially covered by Earth’s shadow. By 8:30 PM, part of the Moon will appear dark. Totality will begin at 9:30 PM, lasting until 10:35 PM, before the shadow gradually fades away, with the eclipse ending at around 1 AM on Monday.

Khaleej Times reports that full totality will be visible from the UAE, the wider Middle East, and parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. Partial eclipse phases will also be visible in eastern South America and western North America.