Partial lunar eclipse to grace Bahrain skies tomorrow

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: ashen@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain will witness a partial lunar eclipse tomorrow, according to Bahraini astronomer Mohammed Al Asfoor. The event will coincide with the full moon of the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal 1446 AH, also known as the “Harvest Moon,” as the moon reaches its perigee, the closest point in its elliptical orbit to Earth.

At a distance of approximately 357,000 kilometers, the “supermoon” will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it is at its apogee, the farthest point from Earth.

The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, which falls on September 22nd, 2024, marking the end of summer and the official beginning of autumn.

The partial eclipse will begin at 3:41am, local time in Bahrain, as the moon enters the Earth’s penumbra, causing a slight dimming of its light.

Earth’s umbra

At 5:12am, the moon will enter the Earth’s umbra, resulting in a partial eclipse where approximately 3% of the moon’s surface will be obscured.

However, due to the moon setting at 5:27am, Bahrain residents will only be able to observe the initial stages of the eclipse.

The duration of the partial eclipse visible in Bahrain will be just 15 minutes.

Small portion

While Bahrain will only witness a small portion of the eclipse, other regions, including Western Asia, Europe, Africa, and most parts of North and South America, will be able to observe the partial eclipse in varying degrees.

Eastern Russia, East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Antarctica, and Northwest North America will be outside the eclipse’s path.

Al Asfoor explained that a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow on the moon. This natural phenomenon is a celestial spectacle that has fascinated humans for centuries.