Rare ‘blood moon’ eclipse to peak at 11:11 pm tonight

The world will witness a rare total lunar eclipse ‘blood moon’ on Sunday night, with Maldives among countries with the best seat to view this astronomical phenomenon.

According to the Maldives Meteorological Service, the blood moon with peak at 11:11 pm local time.

A ‘blood moon’ occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when the sun, Earth, and moon align in sequence. During this alignment, long wavelengths of sunlight pass through Earth's atmosphere and are bent toward the moon, casting it in a reddish glow that can appear similar to the color of blood.

A spokesperson from the national weather agency told Sun on Sunday that while the penumbral phase of the eclipse will begin at 08:28 pm local time, the partial eclipse – which is when it becomes visible to the naked eye – will begin at 09:27 pm.

Meanwhile, the totality will occur from 10:30 pm to 11:52 pm, peaking at 11:11 pm.

The partial phase will end at 12:56 am Monday, and the penumbral phase will end at 1:55 am.

The weather agency forecasts clear skies for Sunday night, with the blood moon expected to be clearly visible across the Maldives.

Congregational eclipse prayer or Salat al-Khusuf will be performed at 11:12 pm in the largest mosque at all residential islands of the Maldives.