Wednesday 18 / September / 2024
Muscat: The world's sky will witness two prominent astronomical phenomena on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, a partial lunar eclipse and the giant moon phenomenon.
Here is everything you need to know:
Partial Lunar Eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth's shadow blocks the sunlight reflected from the moon. There are three types of eclipses: total, partial, and penumbral.
Timing: The penumbral eclipse begins at 4:41 AM, the partial eclipse begins at 6:12 AM, peaks at 6:44 AM, and ends at 7:15 AM, with the penumbral eclipse ending at 8:47 AM (all times in Oman local time).
Visibility: Residents of Oman will not be able to see the lunar eclipse as the moon will set before the partial eclipse begins. The eclipse will be visible in many regions around the world, including Africa, Europe, the Americas, and parts of Asia.
Director of Astronomical Projects at the Oman Astronomical Society explained that the residents of the Sultanate of Oman will not be able to see the lunar eclipse, as the moon will set in Muscat Governorate at 5:54 am, before the start of the partial eclipse, and that the eclipse will be visible in many regions around the world, including Africa, Europe, the Americas, and parts of Asia. He explained that the lunar eclipse is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when the Earth’s shadow blocks the sunlight reflected from the moon.
Super Moon Phenomenon:
A suoer moon occurs when the moon is full and is located near the closest point in its orbit around the Earth. The moon's orbit is elliptical, so the distance between it and the Earth varies. When the moon is at its closest point (perigee), it appears larger and brighter than when it is at its farthest point (apogee).
Timing: The super moon phenomenon will occur after sunset at the eastern horizon.
Visibility: The best time to observe and photograph the super moon is at sunset.
Details: The moon will appear about 15% larger and 30% brighter than usual. Its color will be reddish or orange due to dust and other particles in the Earth's atmosphere.
Omani Astronomical Society will organise a public observation event at its headquarters in the city of Al Irfan in the Wilayat of Seeb to follow the phenomenon of the giant moon and watch it with its distinctive size and exceptional brightness in an educational and interactive atmosphere.
