Total Lunar Eclipse to be Broadcast Live by International Astronomy center
The International Astronomy Center will provide a live broadcast of Sunday evening’s total lunar eclipse, visible across the region. The broadcast will originate from the Center’s astronomical observatory in Abu Dhabi, running from 7:30 PM to 11:50 PM Emirates time and accessible via the Center’s official social media channels.
According to Engineer Mohamed Shawkat Odeh, Director of the Center, the experiance of the eclipse will vary depending on location within the Arab world. The moon will be rising in the eastern part of the region as the eclipse begins, be visible above the horizon in the central Arab region during the early phases, and appear in the western part of the region during the later stages.
The eclipse will progress through distinct phases: the moon will first enter the penumbral shadow at 7:28 PM, followed by the partial eclipse phase at 8:27 PM. The total eclipse will begin at 9:31 PM, reaching its peak at 10:12 PM, and concluding at 10:53 PM. The partial eclipse will end at 11:57 PM, with the entire event finishing at 12:55 AM Monday Emirates time.
Odeh emphasized that the eclipse is easily observable with the naked eye between 8:15 PM and 12:15 AM. During totality, the moon won’t vanish entirely, but will typically display hues of yellow, orange, or red. This coloration results from sunlight being filtered and refracted through Earth’s atmosphere.
The brightness and color of the moon during the eclipse serve as an indicator of atmospheric clarity. Increased pollution reduces the amount of refracted light, leading to a darker red or brown appearance. In rare instances, the moon can even become nearly invisible, as occurred during the December 12, 1992 eclipse, which was impacted by the atmospheric effects of the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines.