PARIS, France - On Friday, May 5, 2023, a penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible in Saudi Arabia and most Arab countries. This is a type of lunar eclipse where the moon passes through the outer part of the Earth's shadow and becomes slightly dimmer than usual.
A penumbral lunar eclipse is different from a total or partial lunar eclipse, where the moon turns red or dark as it enters the Earth's inner shadow. A penumbral lunar eclipse is more subtle and may be hard to notice without careful observation.
The eclipse will start at 6:14 pm local time and end at 10:31 pm local time. The peak of the eclipse will be 8:22 pm local time when the moon is closest to the center of the shadow. The total duration of the eclipse will be four hours and four minutes.
To watch the eclipse, you will need a clear sky and a good view of the eastern horizon. You may also use binoculars or a telescope to get a better view of the moon. However, you should not expect to see a dramatic change in the moon's appearance, as a penumbral lunar eclipse is more subtle than a total or partial lunar eclipse.
The Friday lunar eclipse is one of four penumbral lunar eclipses that will occur in 2023. The next total lunar eclipse will be on September 7, 2025.
