Muscat – According to Majid bin Mohammed Al Farai, Director of Astronomical Projects at the Omani Astronomical Society, the penumbral eclipse will begin at 4:41 am local time, followed by the partial eclipse at 6:12 am. The peak of the partial eclipse will occur at 6:44 am, ending at 7:15 am. The entire event, including both penumbral and partial phases, will last approximately four hours and six minutes.
Unfortunately, residents of the Sultanate of Oman will not be able to witness the lunar eclipse as the moon will set in Muscat Governorate at 5:54 am, before the partial eclipse begins. However, the eclipse will be visible in many regions around the world, including Africa, Europe, the Americas, and parts of Asia.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth’s shadow blocks the sunlight reflected from the moon. This phenomenon happens when the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon align in a straight line. There are three types of eclipses: total, partial, and penumbral.

On the same day, the world will also witness the supermoon phenomenon. A supermoon occurs when a full moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. This proximity makes the moon appear larger and brighter than usual. The moon will be at its closest point to Earth on Wednesday, at a distance of 357,336 kilometres. Its colour will appear reddish or orange due to dust and other particles in the Earth’s atmosphere.

The best time to observe and photograph the supermoon is at moonrise or sunset, when it can be compared to its surroundings. Majid bin Mohammed Al Farai added that the Oman Astronomical Society will be organizing a public observation event at its headquarters in Al Irfan, Seeb, to allow people to view the supermoon and learn more about astronomical phenomena.

Majid bin Mohammed Al Farai explained that the Omani Astronomical Society will organize a public observation event at its headquarters at the Madinat Al Irfan in the Wilayat of Seeb to follow the phenomenon of the giant moon and watch it with its distinctive size and exceptional brightness in an educational and interactive atmosphere.