Oman will witness a total lunar eclipse on March 13, 2025, with key phases taking place between 7:57 AM and 2:00 PM local time. However, full visibility will be limited due to the moon peaking at 5:45 AM. Lunar eclipses occur during full moons and are classified into total, partial, and penumbral types.
On Thursday, March 13, 2025, Oman will experience its first total lunar eclipse of the year. Although this event will be observable across many regions of the world, Omani residents will face limitations in visibility. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalidi, a member of the Omani Society for Astronomy and Space, detailed that the penumbral phase will begin at 7:57 AM local time, followed by the partial eclipse at 9:09 AM.
The total eclipse phase will commence at 10:26 AM and conclude at 11:31 AM. The subsequent partial and penumbral phases are expected to finish at 12:47 PM and 2:00 PM, respectively, resulting in a total duration of approximately six hours and three minutes for the entire event. However, residents of Oman may miss out on the full experience, as the moon will reach its highest point in Muscat at 5:45 AM, prior to the penumbral phase beginning.
This remarkable celestial alignment, where the Earth’s shadow obscures the moon’s sunlight, will be well visible in other parts of the world, including large areas of Australia, Africa, Europe, North America, and Antarctica during nighttime hours. It is essential to understand that a lunar eclipse can be classified into three types: total, partial, and penumbral. These distinctions depend on how the moon aligns with the Earth’s shadow.
During a total lunar eclipse, the moon enters the Earth’s umbra and appears red, a phenomenon caused by the Earth’s atmosphere filtering the sunlight. Lunar eclipses predominantly occur during full moons, contrasting with solar eclipses that take place during new moons. The occurrences of eclipses are somewhat irregular, as the moon’s orbital tilt prevents them from happening monthly; thus, lunar eclipses may occur up to three times a year, while solar eclipses can manifest up to five times annually.
The upcoming total lunar eclipse in Oman on March 13, 2025, presents an exciting astronomical event, despite some visibility limitations for local residents. With the primary phases taking place between 7:57 AM and 2:00 PM, this eclipse will showcase the beauty of the moon’s alignment with the Earth and sun, although full observation will be hindered by the timing of the moon’s peak. Understanding the types and occurrences of lunar eclipses enhances the appreciation of such celestial phenomena.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
