Oman to Experience Total Lunar Eclipse on March 13, 2025

Oman will witness a total lunar eclipse on March 13, 2025, beginning with a penumbral phase at 7:57 AM, followed by a partial eclipse at 9:09 AM. The total eclipse will occur from 10:26 to 11:31 AM. Although the event will not be fully visible in Oman, it will be observable in other parts of the world. Lunar eclipses are caused by the Earth’s shadow obscuring sunlight reflected by the moon.

On Thursday, March 13, Oman will experience a total lunar eclipse, which marks the first such event of 2025. Although the eclipse will be visible to many around the world, visibility for residents of Oman will be limited. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalidi, an esteemed member of the Omani Society for Astronomy and Space, indicated that the penumbral eclipse is set to begin at 7:57 AM local time, followed by the partial eclipse at 9:09 AM.

The total lunar eclipse will commence at 10:26 AM and conclude at 11:31 AM. The partial and penumbral phases will subsequently finish at 12:47 PM and 2:00 PM, respectively. The overall duration of the lunar eclipse, including all phases, will be approximately six hours and three minutes. However, due to the moon’s peak visibility in Muscat Governorate occurring at 5:45 AM, prior to the penumbral phase, Oman residents will not witness the complete event.

Globally, the lunar eclipse will be observable across numerous regions including Australia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, where it coincides with nighttime. A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth casts its shadow over the moon, requiring the Earth, sun, and moon to be aligned.

Three main types of lunar eclipses exist: total, partial, and penumbral. A total eclipse results in the entire moon entering the Earth’s umbra, leading to a reddish color; a partial eclipse involves only a segment of the moon experiencing this shadow, while a penumbral eclipse results in a mere dimming effect. The reddish tint during a total eclipse is caused by the Earth’s atmosphere refracting red light. Unlike solar eclipses, which occur during a new moon, lunar eclipses take place during a full moon, with up to three lunar eclipses possible each year and solar eclipses occurring similarly up to five times annually.

In summary, the total lunar eclipse on March 13 will be a notable astronomical event, though visibility will be limited for residents of Oman. The various phases, including the penumbral and partial eclipses, offer a unique opportunity to observe this celestial phenomenon. Globally, the lunar eclipse remains an intriguing subject for both casual observers and astronomical enthusiasts alike.

Original Source: gulfnews.com