Beginning of lunar eclipse will be visible

Abu Dhabi: A full lunar eclipse on February 21 will be visible in the western region of the UAE, the Emirates Astronomical Society (EAS) has announced

The eclipse will also be visible in western parts of Africa, Europe, the Atlantic Ocean and many parts of North and South America.

Engineer Mohammad Shuwkat Auwda, of the EAS and chairman of the Islamic Crescents' Observation Project (ICOP) said that "the moon will set before completion of all phases of the eclipse in most parts of Asia. These areas will only see the beginning."

He added that the moon will set in Abu Dhabi city at 6.56pm on Thursday and that the moon will be invisible before completion of its entry in the shadow zone during sunset.

During a total lunar eclipse, the moon's disk can take on a dramatically colourful appearance from bright orange to blood red to dark brown and (rarely) very dark gray. An eclipse of the moon can only take place at full moon, and only if the moon passes through some portion of the earth's shadow. The shadow is actually composed of two cone-shaped parts, one nested inside the other. The outer shadow, or penumbra, is a zone where earth blocks some (but not all) of the sun's rays. In contrast, the inner shadow, or umbra, is a region where earth blocks all direct sunlight from reaching the moon.

The partial eclipse begins as the moon's eastern edge slowly moves into the earth's umbral shadow. During the partial phases, it takes just over an hour for the moon's motion to carry it entirely within the umbra. The colour and brightness of the totally eclipsed Moon can vary considerably from one eclipse to another. Dark eclipses are caused by volcanic gas and dust which filters and blocks much of the sun's light from reaching the moon. But since no major volcanic eruptions have taken place recently, the moon will probably take on a vivid red or orange colour during the total phase.