Deep partial lunar eclipse coincides with full moon over Arar

The sky over Arar witnessed a deep partial lunar eclipse at dawn on Thursday, coinciding with the full moon of Rabi Al-Awwal 1448 AH. The astronomical event’s early stages were observed from Saudi Arabia before the moon set.

According to Adnan Khalifa, a member of the Astronomy and Space Club, the penumbral phase began at 4:23 a.m., followed by the moon entering Earth's shadow, making the partial eclipse visible around 5:33 a.m. The phenomenon remained observable locally until the moon set on the western horizon at 5:49 a.m.

Khalifa explained that a lunar eclipse occurs when Earth comes between the sun and the moon, causing the moon to pass through Earth's shadow. He added that this event was considered a deep partial eclipse, as about 93% of the moon’s disk entered Earth's shadow at the global peak, making it visually close to a total eclipse.

Observation in Saudi Arabia and worldwide

Khalifa noted that Saudi Arabia’s geographic location allowed for observation of the early stages of the eclipse before moonset, with the duration and visibility varying by region. The global peak of the eclipse was not visible from Arar, as the moon had already set before the phenomenon reached its maximum.

Khalifa also pointed out that lunar eclipses can be safely viewed with the naked eye, unlike solar eclipses. The timing of the event before sunrise provided astronomy enthusiasts an opportunity to observe the gradual entry of the moon into Earth's shadow near the western horizon.

It is worth noting that the August 28, 2026, eclipse is also classified as a deep partial lunar eclipse. Its global peak occurred after the moon had set in Saudi Arabia, while the partial phase lasted about three hours and 18 minutes worldwide, with varying visibility across parts of the Americas, Europe, Africa, and other regions.