RIYADH: September heralds a series of celestial events eagerly awaited by astronomers, which marks the changing of seasons on Earth and a total lunar eclipse popularly known as a “blood moon.”
According to Jeddah Astronomy Society Director Majed Abu Zahra, the month’s highlights include the total lunar eclipse on Sept. 7, visible in Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
This will be the only total lunar eclipse of the year in this region. Such eclipses are rare for a specific geographic location.
Speaking to Arab News Dr. Abouazza Elmhamdi, associate professor of physics and astronomy at King Saud University, said lunar eclipses represent a “most predictable and visually fascinating phenomena.”
This occurs when “Earth aligns precisely between the sun and moon, casting its shadow upon the lunar surface. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to observe with the naked eye and can be witnessed from anywhere on Earth’s night side.”
“On Sunday evening, Sept. 7, 2025, the Riyadh sky will host a remarkable astronomical display: a total lunar eclipse. As twilight fades, the full moon will rise, already entering Earth’s shadow, offering observers across the city a rare and captivating view,” said Elmhamdi.
This eclipse belongs to the so‑called Saros cycle. It is a part of series 128, a family of eclipses repeating every 18 years and 11 days, he said.
During a total eclipse, the moon will appear in shades of copper and red, the result of sunlight scattered and bent through Earth’s atmosphere, he said.
For Riyadh, the moon will be well above the horizon throughout the total phase. “Since the eclipse begins just after sunset, this will be one of the most favorable lunar eclipses in recent years for the region,” said Elmhamdi.
The moon will be approximately 2.6 days before perigee, its closest approach to Earth, making it appear slightly larger than average — a so‑called “supermoon” eclipse in popular terms, added Elmhamdi.
The AlUla Manara team is organizing an event on Sept. 7 to observe the lunar eclipse.
Specialists will provide live explanations of the eclipse’s stages, formation, and scientific significance. Attendees will also be able to use special telescopes.
A partial solar eclipse will occur on Sept. 21, but it will not be visible in the Arab world.
On Sept. 21, Saturn will be at opposition, meaning Earth will find itself in-between Saturn and the sun, temporarily lined up.
The following day, Sept. 22, marks the autumnal equinox, when the sun’s rays fall directly on the equator. This phenomenon occurs twice a year — once at the start of spring (around March 20) and once at the start of autumn (around Sept 22).
Day and night will be of equal length at the equator, and the event marks the official end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
Elmhamdi added: “September offers additional sky highlights: a close approach of the moon and Venus around mid‑month, Saturn and Neptune at opposition later in the month, and the autumnal equinox on Sept. 22.
“This equinox marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere, a moment when day and night are nearly equal in length across the globe.”
A rare celestial phenomenon will also be on display, with the shadow of Saturn’s moon, Titan, crossing the planet’s disk on Sept. 4 and 20.
For those waking up early in the wee hours, Venus and Jupiter will shine on the eastern horizon.
Moreover, on Sept. 19, the crescent moon will form a striking triangle with Venus and Regulus.
