RIYADH: September heralds a series of celestial events eagerly awaited by astronomers, which marks the changing of seasons on Earth and a total lunar eclipse popularly known as a “blood moon.”
According to Jeddah Astronomy Society Director Majed Abu Zahra, the month’s highlights include the total lunar eclipse on Sept. 7, visible in Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
This will be the only total lunar eclipse of the year in this region. Such eclipses are rare for a specific geographic location.
Speaking to Arab News Dr. Abouazza Elmhamdi, associate professor of physics and astronomy at King Saud University, said lunar eclipses represent a “most predictable and visually fascinating phenomena.”
This occurs when “Earth aligns precisely between the sun and moon, casting its shadow upon the lunar surface. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to observe with the naked eye and can be witnessed from anywhere on Earth’s night side.”
