Saudi Arabia's Skies Witness Exceptional Total Lunar Eclipse

This evening, the skies over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia witnessed an
exceptional total lunar eclipse during which the moon turned a deep
crimson red, scientifically known as the "Blood Moon." Astronomy
enthusiasts and photographers gathered to observe this rare phenomenon,
which had not been witnessed with this span and scope since 2018.

The phases of the partial eclipse began as the moon gradually entered
the Earth's shadow before transforming into a total eclipse that lasted
for hours, providing a golden opportunity to observe the event with the
naked eye, as well as through telescopes and astrophotography cameras.

Head of the Jeddah Astronomy Society Eng. Majed Abu Zahra explained
that the red color acquired by the moon during the eclipse occurs as
sunlight is refracted through the Earth's atmosphere, where shorter blue
wavelengths are scattered. Longer red and orange wavelengths reach the
moon.
This eclipse is part of a series of astronomical events
visible in the Kingdom's skies this year, serving as a reminder of the
importance of observing natural phenomena for the knowledge and deeper
understanding they offer about the universe around us.