Tomorrow evening, Sunday, the skies over the Kingdom will witness a rare total lunar eclipse, the longest since 2022, during which the Earth’s shadow will cover the entire Moon, turning it a coppery red—a celestial spectacle eagerly awaited by enthusiasts and observers.
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Astronomical estimates indicate that the total eclipse will be visible to about 77% of the world’s population, while all its stages, from start to finish, can be observed by approximately 60% of the global population.
Dr. Ammar Al-Sakaji, President of the Jordanian Astronomical Society, told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the eclipse will begin when the Moon enters the penumbral shadow at 6:28 PM Amman time; however, the Moon will be below the horizon at that moment. It will rise at 6:47 PM while in the penumbral phase. The partial eclipse will start at 7:27 PM, when the reddish tint will gradually appear.
He added that the total eclipse will begin at 8:30 PM, as the Earth’s shadow fully covers the Moon, reaching its peak at 9:11 PM when the Moon enters the deepest part of the shadow. The total phase will end at 9:52 PM, after which the Moon will gradually exit the shadow, with the partial eclipse ending at 10:56 PM and the penumbral phase concluding at 11:55 PM, marking the end of the event.
Al-Sakaji confirmed that the entire eclipse, including all phases, will last five hours and eight minutes, while the total phase will last a full 82 minutes. The event will be visible across different regions of Jordan, as well as in many countries in Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe, to varying degrees.
The Jordanian Astronomical Society invited the public to participate in an observation event at the Sports City (Gate No. 3 near the Martyr Monument) for photography and observation starting at 7 PM, where telescopes will be available, along with a live broadcast on social media and media platforms showing all phases of the eclipse.
The society pointed out that the period from 8:30 to 9:52 PM will be the best time to view the phenomenon clearly, emphasizing that it is a rare opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts in the Kingdom to observe and photograph the event.
Dr. Hanna Sabat, Director of Scientific Affairs and Training at the Regional Center for Space Science Education, explained why the Moon appears red during a total eclipse, noting that when the Earth blocks direct sunlight, the light passes through its atmosphere, which scatters shorter wavelengths (blue and violet) while allowing longer wavelengths (red and orange) to pass, reflecting onto the Moon’s surface.
He clarified that the scene is similar to a sunrise or sunset but differs from the reddish tint of the Moon rising near the horizon. The eclipse progresses through clear stages: penumbral start, partial eclipse, total eclipse, followed by the Moon gradually exiting the shadow until it returns to full brightness.
Dr. Anas Swalha, a member of the International Astronomy Center, confirmed that the eclipse can be seen with the naked eye without complex equipment, but photographing it requires some precautions. He advised using phones or cameras fixed on a stable surface or tripod and enabling professional photography mode to control exposure, especially during the total eclipse phase when the Moon dims. He also emphasized choosing an open location facing the eastern horizon to follow all stages of the eclipse.
Dr. Ali Al-Taani, Professor of Astrophysics and Space Science at Al-Balqa Applied University, provided a broader perspective, noting that 2025 will witness two total lunar eclipses (March 14 and September 7), in addition to two partial solar eclipses (March 29 and September 21, not visible in the Arab region).
He highlighted that the recurrence of these phenomena demonstrates the “high precision of astronomical calculations,” which official authorities rely on to determine the beginnings of lunar (Hijri) months.
Al-Taani explained that lunar eclipses occur exclusively during a full moon when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, while solar eclipses occur at the new moon when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun.
He added that each lunar eclipse is usually followed by a solar eclipse about two weeks later, noting that the so-called “eclipse seasons” occur twice a year, during which a lunar and solar eclipse may occur consecutively.
— (Petra - Bushra Nirokh)
