Dubai: If you are one of those who have always marvelled at celestial spectacles, you should have kept an eye on the night sky on Monday night — when a partial lunar eclipse happened.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the earth moves between the sun and the moon, but they are not precisely aligned or they do not form a perfect straight line in space.
Because of this, only part of the moon’s visible surface moves into the earth’s shadow.
Whenever a partial lunar eclipse happens, a small part of the moon’s surface is covered by the darkest, central part of the earth’s shadow, called the umbra.
The outer part of the earth’s shadow, called the penumbra, covers the rest of the moon.
In the UAE, the partial lunar eclipse started becoming visible from 7.50pm, and ended at 11.18pm, Dubai time, according to Timeanddate.com.
Earlier Report: Organised viewing event
Those who wish to observe the partial lunar eclipse in a free organised event may also visit the Dubai Astronomy Group’s Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre at Mushrif Park in Dubai.
The group will also hold a free workshop about it for the public. The event started at 8.00pm to 10.00pm.
But since the moon will remain above the horizon during this eclipse, the entire eclipse will be visible in Dubai.
No special equipment is necessary to view the partial lunar eclipse. Just turn up at the right date and time, get a chair and enjoy the celestial treat.
The partial lunar eclipse will also be visible from most parts of South and East Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia.
Some regions will, however, see at least parts of the eclipse and these are much of Europe, much of Asia, Australia, Africa, East in South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Antarctica, according to Timeanddate.com.
