Total lunar eclipse: A blood moon graces the skies of the Arab world on this date.

Arab Weather - The skies over the Arab world will witness a rare astronomical event with a total lunar eclipse at dawn on Sunday, September 7, 2025. The moon will appear a striking blood-red color. The eclipse begins at 3:28 PM GMT and lasts for several hours, with visibility varying from one Arab country to another.

Lunar and solar eclipses: What they mean and how they occur!

How does a lunar eclipse happen?

An eclipse occurs when a full moon passes through Earth's shadow, blocking direct sunlight. During this moment, light reflects through Earth's atmosphere, scattering the blue light, leaving the red to orange color, making the moon appear "blood-red."

A lunar eclipse does not occur every month, because the Moon's orbit is slightly tilted relative to the Earth's orbit around the Sun. However, it does occur when the Moon's passage behind the Earth coincides with the moment of its full moon.

Dates of the lunar eclipse phases on September 7, 2025 (GMT):

• Penumbral eclipse begins: 15:28 (difficult to see with the naked eye).
• Partial eclipse begins: 16:27 (Moon begins to erode).
• Total eclipse begins: 17:30 (Moon turns blood red).
• Total eclipse peak: 18:11.
• End of total eclipse: 18:52.
• End of partial eclipse: 19:56.

Arab countries that will witness the blood moon eclipse

• Total eclipse in all its phases: Yemen, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Somalia, Djibouti, Comoros.
• Partial and total eclipse (most important phases): Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Sudan.
• Partial or total eclipse for a short period: Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania.

Historical anecdotes related to solar and lunar eclipses

Why does the moon turn red?

During a total eclipse, sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere before reaching the moon. The atmosphere scatters blue and violet light, while red light passes through more easily, resulting in a red-orange glow on the moon's surface, a phenomenon known as a "blood moon."

Do I need tools to observe the eclipse?

No, the phenomenon can be observed with the naked eye from an open area, but using telescopes or binoculars provides a more exciting experience of observing the details of the lunar surface and photographing the eclipse phases. Some astronomy clubs also organize special events to observe the eclipse.