tag

For many, the lunar eclipse on Sunday was a fascinating experience, with Qatar providing a conducive setting for residents and visitors to witness a one-of-its-kind celestial phenomenon.Speaking to Gulf Times, Manoj Mishra, visiting from Bengaluru, India, shared his excitement and cited the exceptional arrangements made at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park for observing the rare occurrence.He said he saw the entire eclipse from start to finish, and lauded the efforts of Qatar authorities, including the Qatar Calendar House (QCH) and the MIA, noting the ample provision of telescopes offering “very clear picture of the moon”.Noting that he was also able to capture photographs of the event, Mishra compared his experience to previous eclipses and noted that while he had seen them in his youth, the excitement remains.“It always looks new, and it’s exciting to see the astronomical events of such nature,” he said, stressing that despite seeing past eclipses, each one offers a fresh sense of wonder.The visitor described the atmosphere at the viewing location as “so very ambient, good atmosphere, people are very cool and calm”.Mishra observed attendees engrossed in watching the moon’s phases and mingling within a well-organised crowd.Citing the event’s inclusive atmosphere, he noted the presence of children, elderly individuals, young people, and families, which contributed to its broad appeal.Faisal Khan from Nepal echoed these sentiments.“This is my first time to see an eclipse, it is pretty good, especially here in Qatar, like people are enjoying here, to be here, and it’s looking pretty cool,” he said.Khan detailed the moon’s changing colours and phases, noting how it was “now half is black, half is lighted”.Observing through a telescope, he described the moon’s appearance as having a “brownish while other is grayish or its natural colour”.Khan found the view through the telescope to be “very clear” and mulls buying one in the future – impressed by the one he used courtesy of the QCH.The QCH, in partnership with the MIA, hosted this public viewing event at the MIA Park.This initiative, along with observations at Katara Cultural Village and other locations across the country, allowed a significant number of visitors to witness and study the lunar eclipse.The rare astronomical event coincided with the full moon of the lunar month, it is learnt.As previously announced by the QCH, the partial eclipse began at approximately 7.27pm, followed by the start of the total eclipse at 8.30pm.Mazem from Jordan was accompanied by his children.“This is our first time,” he said. “I came here for my son and my daughter to witness the phenomenon. We are happy to see it.”Muhib from Bangladesh was fascinated at seeing an eclipse in Qatar, having witnessed a solar eclipse in his home country previously, which he described as a “mesmerising spectacle” that occurred during the daytime and was seen by many in his village.A Filipino family also took advantage of the telescopic viewing.The mother observed a “golden yellowish colour” during the moon’s transformation and expressed delight that her two children could also witness the event in Qatar.Many attendees used their mobile phones to capture the moment, some even taking photos and videos of the clearer images displayed through the advanced telescopes.The MIA Park came alive with families and individuals who not only gathered to observe the eclipse but also took the opportunity to enjoy picnics and leisurely strolls.

Qatar Calendar House (QCH) announced that Qatar's skies will witness a total lunar eclipse Sunday evening, September 7, 2025 (5 Rabi' al-Awwal 1447 AH) coinciding with the full moon of lunar month.All phases of the eclipse will be visible across the country. The partial eclipse will begin at 7:27 pm local time, followed by the start of the total eclipse at 8:31 pm. The eclipse will reach its peak at 9:12 pm, when Earth's shadow will cover more than the entire lunar disk (136.2%).To mark the occasion, QCH, in collaboration with Museum of Islamic Art, will host a public viewing event at the museum's park, where visitors can observe the eclipse through advanced telescopes.QCH highlighted that this is a rare and significant astronomical event, as Qatar will not witness another total lunar eclipse for more than three years - specifically until December 31, 2028. Events like these also demonstrate precision of astronomical calculations, especially those related to Hijri calendar.The total phase of the eclipse will end at 9:53 pm, while the partial phase will conclude at 10:56 pm. Together, the two phases will last 3 hours and 29 minutes.The statement explained that a lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon align in a straight line, with the Earth positioned between the sun and the moon, which must be in its full moon phase.Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can be safely observed with plain sight, and photography enthusiasts can also capture striking images using digital cameras.QCH noted that lunar eclipses are visible from anywhere on Earth where it is nighttime during the event. The phenomenon begins when part of the moon enters Earth's shadow, then the entire lunar disk becomes immersed, before gradually emerging again. There are three types of lunar eclipses: total, partial, and penumbral.