Partial Lunar Eclipse Visible Across Saudi Arabia Early Wednesday Morning

Early tomorrow morning, a partial lunar eclipse will be visible from Earth, with its initial phases appearing in the Saudi skies before sunrise. Eng. Majed Abu Zahra, Director of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, stated that this event will be observable across Europe, much of Asia, Africa, North and South America, the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Oceans, the Arctic, and Antarctica.

The eclipse is set to last for one hour and three minutes, occurring from 5:12 am to 6:15 am Saudi time. This will be the only local lunar eclipse of 2024. "The eclipse will begin simultaneously across all regions of Saudi Arabia as the full moon enters Earth's shadow at 5:12 am," said Abu Zahra. "The moon will then traverse from west to east in Earth's shadow, following its natural orbital path."

During this celestial event, the moon will reach its maximum eclipse at 5:44 am when 3.9% of its surface will be covered by Earth's shadow. Following this peak moment, observers in various parts of Saudi Arabia will see the moon set as it coincides with sunrise. The moon might appear reddish-copper or orange due to its proximity to the horizon and atmospheric effects rather than because of the eclipse itself.

Globally, viewers will witness the moon gradually emerging from Earth's shadow until it is fully illuminated again by 6:15 am. Abu Zahra noted that during this eclipse, the moon will be at perigee—the point in its orbit closest to Earth—making it appear larger than usual.

This phenomenon marks the second supermoon of 2024 as the moon's apparent diameter will be 6.7% larger than average at its peak. Because it occurs near the autumn equinox, it is also referred to as a harvest moon.

The partial lunar eclipse can be easily observed with the naked eye without any special equipment. However, using binoculars or a small telescope can provide a clearer view of details on the moon's surface. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses do not pose any risk to eyesight; therefore no special precautions are necessary.

This astronomical event offers an opportunity for people around the world to witness a unique spectacle in the night sky without needing protective gear or advanced technology.

With inputs from SPA