Gulf skies to witness rare total lunar eclipse on Sept. 7
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A rare total lunar eclipse will grace the skies across the Arabian Peninsula on Sunday, September 7, 2025, offering millions a chance to witness one of the longest lunar eclipses in recent years.
Saudi Arabia
The event will be fully visible across the Kingdom. It begins at 6:27 p.m. local time when the moon enters Earth’s penumbral shadow. A partial eclipse follows at 7:27 p.m., leading to totality from 8:30 p.m. until 9:53 p.m. The eclipse ends just before midnight at 11:57 p.m.
Zaki Al-Mostafa of the Space Research Institute at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) explained that the phenomenon occurs when Earth passes between the sun and moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. He added that unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are visible across wide regions of Earth’s night side and can last up to two hours. KACST will monitor the event using its observatories while also promoting public awareness through educational programs.
United Arab Emirates
In the UAE, it will be the first total lunar eclipse visible in seven years. The International Astronomical Center will livestream the spectacle from the Al Khatim Observatory in Abu Dhabi between 7:30 p.m. and 11:50 p.m. local time.
The moon will enter the penumbra at 7:28 p.m., with partial shading at 8:27 p.m. Totality begins at 9:31 p.m., peaks at 10:12 p.m. and ends at 10:53 p.m. The entire event wraps up at 12:55 a.m. Monday.
Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, the center’s director, noted that the moon will glow in colors ranging from orange to deep red depending on atmospheric conditions. He recalled that during the December 1992 eclipse, volcanic ash from Mount Pinatubo darkened the moon to a deep brown.
Oman
According to the Oman News Agency, the Sultanate will also enjoy a full view of the eclipse. The penumbral phase begins at 7:28 p.m. Muscat time, with totality stretching from 9:31 p.m. to 10:53 p.m. and peaking at 10:11 p.m. The event will last 5 hours and 27 minutes in total, with the moon fully immersed in Earth’s shadow for 1 hour and 22 minutes.
Astronomers highlight that each lunar eclipse is usually followed by a solar eclipse. A partial solar eclipse is expected on September 21, though it will not be visible from the Gulf.
