Watch: Blood Moon in UAE as total lunar eclipse reaches peak
Astronomy groups host events across the Emirates
DUBAI – A rare Blood Moon lit up skies across the UAE on Sunday night, 7 September, as a total lunar eclipse reached its peak at 10:12 pm GST.
Stargazers across the Emirates watched the Moon take on a deep red glow during the longest phase of the eclipse, which lasted for 82 minutes.
The spectacle was visible not only in the UAE but also across Asia, Africa, Australia and parts of Europe, making it a global astronomical event.
Blood Moon in UAE
In Dubai, hundreds gathered at the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, where the Dubai Astronomy Group organised a public viewing session with telescopes, astrophotography workshops and a live broadcast. The crimson Moon was also clearly visible from outdoor areas such as Al Qudra Desert and Al Marmoom.
In Sharjah, the Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST) hosted extended night sessions, while residents in Abu Dhabi enjoyed wide horizons along the Corniche. Natural vantage points such as Mleiha National Park in Sharjah and Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah also drew astronomy enthusiasts.
Eclipse timeline
The lunar eclipse began at 7:28 pm GST with a penumbral shadow before moving into partial coverage at 8:27 pm. Totality started at 9:31 pm, reached maximum at 10:12 pm, and ended at 10:53 pm. The partial eclipse concludes at 11:57 pm, with the event finishing just before 1 am on Monday.
Astronomers said the striking red shade was caused by sunlight refracting through Earth’s atmosphere—filtering out blue light and leaving the Moon bathed in copper and crimson hues.