Oman to Experience Total Lunar Eclipse on March 13, 2025

Oman will witness a total lunar eclipse on March 13, 2025, with limited visibility for locals. The penumbral eclipse starts at 7:57 AM, the partial at 9:09 AM, and the total begins at 10:26 AM. The entire eclipse lasts about six hours, but due to the moon’s early peak, full visibility will not be possible in Oman.

On Thursday, March 13, the Sultanate of Oman will experience the first total lunar eclipse of 2025. While this astronomical event will be visible to many across the globe, residents of Oman will have limited visibility. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalidi, a member of the Omani Society for Astronomy and Space, has stated that the penumbral eclipse will begin at 7:57 AM local time, followed by the partial eclipse at 9:09 AM.

The total eclipse will commence at 10:26 AM and conclude at 11:31 AM, with the partial and penumbral phases expected to end at 12:47 PM and 2:00 PM, respectively. The entire lunar eclipse, from start to finish, will last approximately six hours and three minutes. However, due to the moon reaching its peak visibility in Muscat at 5:45 AM, before the penumbral eclipse begins, residents will miss observing the full spectacle.

The lunar eclipse phenomenon occurs when the Earth’s shadow obscures sunlight reflected by the moon, aligning the Earth, sun, and moon in a straight line. There are three types of lunar eclipses: total, where the entire moon enters the Earth’s umbra resulting in a reddish color; partial, where only a portion enters the umbra; and penumbral, where the moon only enters the penumbra, leading to a dimming effect.

The reddish hue seen during a total eclipse is caused by red light refraction through the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Unlike solar eclipses, which occur during a new moon, lunar eclipses happen during a full moon. Eclipses are infrequent due to the tilt of the moon’s orbit, occurring up to three times a year for lunar eclipses and up to five times per year for solar eclipses.

The upcoming total lunar eclipse on March 13 will be a significant event for Oman, albeit with limited visibility for residents due to the timing of the moon’s peak. Understanding the phases of lunar eclipses, including total, partial, and penumbral, contributes to the appreciation of this rare astronomical occurrence. Advocates are encouraged to observe the event safely where visibility permits, as this opportunity will be more favorable in other regions of the world.

Original Source: gulfnews.com