Oman to Experience First Total Lunar Eclipse of 2025

Oman will observe its first total lunar eclipse of 2025 on March 13th, with limited visibility. The penumbral phase starts at 7:57 a.m., and the total eclipse occurs from 10:26 a.m. to 11:31 a.m. Full visibility will not be possible in Oman due to the moon’s peak visibility occurring at 5:45 a.m. Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth’s shadow obscures sunlight from the moon.

On March 13th, 2025, Oman is set to experience its first total lunar eclipse of the year. While this astronomical event will be witnessed globally, Oman will have specific limitations regarding visibility. According to Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalidi from the Omani Society for Astronomy and Space, the penumbral eclipse will start at 7:57 a.m. local time, followed by the partial eclipse at 9:09 a.m. The total eclipse will occur from 10:26 a.m. to 11:31 a.m., with the partial and penumbral phases concluding at 12:47 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively. Overall, the entire eclipse will last approximately six hours and three minutes.

However, residents of Muscat Governorate will miss out on the full event as the moon will reach its peak visibility at 5:45 a.m., before the eclipse begins. In contrast, large regions of Australia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas will observe the eclipse during nighttime, enhancing visibility. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth’s shadow blocks sunlight from reaching the moon, aligning the Earth, sun, and moon.

There are three types of lunar eclipses: total, partial, and penumbral. A total eclipse results in the moon taking on a reddish color, caused by the refraction of red light through the Earth’s atmosphere. Eclipses only occur during a full moon and do not happen each month due to the tilt of the moon’s orbit. Lunar eclipses can occur up to three times a year, whereas solar eclipses may happen up to five times annually.

The total lunar eclipse on March 13th, 2025, represents a significant astronomical event for Oman, albeit with limited visibility for local residents. While the phenomenon will be visible across most continents, Oman will only see partial phases due to the moon’s peak visibility occurring earlier. Understanding the nature of lunar eclipses provides insight into this intriguing celestial occurrence and its infrequent nature.

Original Source: timesofoman.com