Blood Moon dims over UAE as total lunar eclipse comes to a close

Eclipse on your screen

For those unable to witness the lunar eclipse in person, the Dubai Astronomy Group is hosting a live stream, bringing the celestial spectacle directly to screens across the UAE and beyond.

From the Moon’s first fiery glow to the slow creep of Earth’s shadow, viewers could follow every stunning moment in real time, sharing in the wonder from the comfort of their homes.

Rare celestial spectacle

UAE, turn your gaze skyward tonight as a rare celestial spectacle unfolds: A total lunar eclipse that will drape the Moon in a deep crimson glow for more than an hour.

From the pristine desert skies at Mleiha National Park’s panoramic lounge to mosques where special prayers are being held, our reporters are on the ground capturing every moment. With photographers stationed at vantage points, expect breathtaking visuals of the dramatic ‘blood moon’ in real-time.

Follow this live blog for updates, striking images, and on-the-ground experiences as the eclipse gradually darkens, reddens, and then releases the Moon back into the night sky.

Moon rises over UAE

As the Moon rises over the UAE skies, it takes on a striking orange hue — the first visible sign of the much-anticipated lunar eclipse.

A man stands beside his camel as the Moon begins to rise behind them, casting the sky in a soft amber hue. Against the desert backdrop, the unfolding lunar eclipse paints a surreal scene — one that blends tradition with the timeless wonder of the night sky.

Special eclipse prayer

As the Moon begins its slow climb above the horizon — bathed in a fiery orange glow — worshippers were urged to join the special prayer immediately after Isha (7.50pm) in all mosques across the country, with the prayer time extending until 10.30pm.

Residents lay in wait

Eager residents ease into the cool embrace of the evening. Some draped in makeshift blankets, others reclining in lawn chairs, all with their faces tilted skyward.

Beneath the vast dome of the night sky, a collective breath hangs suspended — a moment of shared anticipation — as the Moon readies itself for its slow, otherworldly transformation.

Under the giant Moon

In Sharjah, the Moon hangs high overhead — vast and radiant, as though suspended just beyond reach. Its brilliance washes over the night, every crater and curve sharpened in astonishing clarity. Magnified against the darkness, it feels impossibly near, overwhelming in its beauty and commanding the gaze of all who look up.

Check out the photos below:

A dramatic prelude

The Moon glows with a deep orange fire — a dramatic prelude to the coming Blood Moon.

Its warm hue deepens by the minute, casting an ethereal light across the UAE skies. A breathtaking start to one of the year’s most stunning celestial shows.

Partial eclipse soon

With every crater and curve of the Moon magnified against the darkness, the first stage of the eclipse is officially underway, Prabhakaran Andiappan, education coordinator at Mleiha National Park, told Khaleej Times.

He explained that the penumbral shadow of the Earth has already begun entering through the Moon’s path.

In just half an hour, the partial eclipse will take hold, gradually cloaking the Moon and casting a reddish glow along the Earth’s curvature — a transformation that promises to mesmerise observers across the UAE skies.

Captivated by the Moon

On the day of the lunar eclipse, seven-year-old Maxim, sitting on the sandy stretches of Mleiha, Sharjah, peering through his binoculars.

His eyes were fixed on the glowing Moon, its orange hue swelling larger with each passing minute.

Around him, families settled on blankets, whispers fading into hushed anticipation, but Maxim barely noticed anyone else — he was captivated by the Moon’s slow, majestic drift into Earth’s shadow.

Seeking the perfect vantage point

Karen Reynolds, a Dubai resident, made the drive down south from Marina to Mleiha, seeking the perfect vantage point to witness the celestial spectacle, far from the glare of city lights.

“I’ve observed the moon in an observatory before, but I haven’t been to an organised event like this, to see an eclipse,” she said.

“It’s great. I love the information, the telescopes, and it’s just nice, not too much light pollution,” she added

Walking through Moonlight

A lone visitor crosses in front of the giant screen in Mleiha, Sharjah, his silhouette striking against the glowing projection of the Moon. For a fleeting moment, it looks as if they are walking through moonlight itself — the human form and the celestial body aligning in a dramatic interplay of shadow and light as the lunar eclipse begins to unfold.

Moving in quiet reverence

After the Isha prayer, people in Sharjah make their way to join the special eclipse prayer, moving in quiet reverence under the night sky. The gathering flows like a river of devotion, each person pausing to witness the celestial spectacle while observing this age-old tradition.

Mesmerising spectacle

A faint shadow creeps across the lower left side of the Moon as the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, heralding a rare and mesmerising celestial event — the Blood Moon.

Lunar eclipse begins

The partial eclipse has begun, as a dark shadow slowly creeps across the Moon’s surface. This phase will continue for exactly one hour, until 9.30pm before giving way to the total eclipse — a breathtaking stage expected to last 82 minutes.

Watch as the lunar eclipse unfolds:

Performing Salat al-Kusuf

As the Moon slowly drifts into Earth’s shadow, some devout Muslims will take a moment from skygazing to perform Salat al-Kusuf, the prayer of solar and lunar eclipses.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat (Awqaf) has called on the faithful to observe this prayer on the night of September 7, blending devotion with the awe-inspiring celestial spectacle.

Celestial transformation

The shadow creeping across the Moon has grown noticeably larger, darkening more of its surface as the partial eclipse intensifies.

Observers watch in quiet awe as the celestial transformation slowly takes hold, the Moon’s familiar glow gradually giving way to the Earth’s shadow.

Faith meets the cosmos

As the lunar eclipse unfolds across the night sky, residents across the UAE can hear the resonant call of special prayers echoing from mosques, blending devotion with the awe of the celestial spectacle above. From city streets to desert outskirts, the harmonious voices mark a rare moment where faith and the cosmos meet.

A mesmerising sight

As the lunar eclipse progresses, the Moon seems to be slowly devoured, its glowing surface gradually swallowed by the Earth’s shadow. Minute by minute, it looks as if half of the celestial orb is being eaten, a mesmerising sight that captures the awe of residents watching across the UAE.

Eclipse prayers begin

As the moon began to darken during the eclipse, Quranic verses echoed from mosques across the UAE, marking the start of special eclipse prayers.

These prayers are being held in mosques after the Isha (night) prayer.

The UAE Council for Fatwa encouraged Muslim men and women to perform the special prayer until 10.30pm.

While many chose to pray in congregation at mosques, others observed the Sunnah by performing the prayer at home.

This special prayer is in line with the tradition (Sunnah) of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him).

Slow, stunning progression

With each passing minute, the Earth’s shadow steadily devours the Moon, darkening its surface in a slow, mesmerising progression. Now, more than half of the lunar glow has been swallowed, and it feels only a matter of time before the Moon is completely cloaked in shadow, a breathtaking spectacle unfolding in real time across the night sky.

Check out the video below:

A cosmic sign

On Sunday evening, the Moon’s slow transformation drew the eyes of residents across the UAE, many watching from their apartments as the lunar eclipse unfolded.

The celestial spectacle served as a reminder of Allah’s greatness and power, a cosmic sign that inspired awe and reflection. After the Isha prayer, worshippers emerged from mosques, pausing to capture the Moon in photographs before joining in the special eclipse prayer — a Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) — blending devotion with the wonder of the night sky.

The significance of tonight’s eclipse

Against the backdrop of Sharjah’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, residents from across the UAE gathered at the historic Mleiha site to witness the lunar spectacle. Among them was Gudrun H.,an Austrian living in Dubai, who has visited Mleiha many times for outdoor adventures and stargazing.

“I follow the sky calendar quite closely,” she said, recalling her time in an amateur astronomy club back in Europe. A molecular biologist by profession, Gudrun has witnessed many lunar eclipses abroad, but she said this one felt especially significant — the last total lunar eclipse visible in the UAE occurred seven years ago, making tonight a rare and unforgettable event.

Moon’s stunning journey

As night fell over the UAE, the Moon began its slow, mesmerising journey across the sky, drawing the eyes of residents from rooftops, balconies, and desert plains alike.

From its first fiery orange glow to the moments when every crater and ridge became visible in stark detail, the lunar eclipse unfolded like a living story.

With each passing minute, the Earth’s shadow crept across the Moon, gradually swallowing more than half of its surface and transforming the familiar orb into a dramatic spectacle of light and shadow.

Real-time documentation

A Khaleej Times photographer captured the lunar eclipse in all its stunning stages, documenting the Moon’s transformation from its bright, glowing orange to the creeping shadow of Earth gradually engulfing its surface. Each frame tells the story of this rare celestial spectacle, offering a front-row view of nature’s cosmic choreography.

Check out the image below:

A dramatic spectacle

The Earth’s shadow continues to creep across the Moon, gradually swallowing more than half of its surface and transforming the familiar orb into a dramatic spectacle of light and shadow.

Total lunar eclipse begins

The moon is now fully covered by the shadow of the Earth, and will stay in this state for more than an hour.

“This is the first time I ever witnessed the lunar eclipse, or any eclipse for that matter. And I’m seeing it happen in real time in different stages,” Reem Al Yammahi, a senior university student, said.

“Considering that this is the first time it happens in 7 years, I’m very happy that I got to witness it,” she added

Capturing the eclipse

Men, women, and children gathered across Sharjah after the Isha prayers, eager to capture the lunar eclipse on camera.

Many lingered for over half an hour, framing the Moon in their lenses as it slowly transformed under Earth’s shadow, preserving a rare celestial moment in photographs.

Desert moonlight magic

As the Moon’s glow dimmed under the Earth’s shadow, more stars began to sparkle in the night sky, their twinkle visible to the naked eye — though the effect was muted in the city by light pollution.

At Mleiha National Park, around 100 people gathered in hushed anticipation, their eyes fixed skyward, sharing in the quiet wonder of the lunar eclipse as it unfolded above the desert landscape.

Desert eclipse watch

Under the quiet desert sky, Anton Prokhorov pitched his tent and carefully set up his personal telescope, ready to witness the lunar eclipse in all its unfolding glory.

With the Moon rising above the horizon, he prepared for a night of awe, observation, and a front-row seat to one of nature’s rarest celestial shows.

A closer look

A crowd gathered in hushed anticipation, eyes fixed on the Moon, either through the giant screen or with the naked eye.

During the partial eclipse, telescopes were available for a closer look, but as the total lunar eclipse approached, organisers advised spectators to observe either directly or via the screen.

Andiappan, the education coordinator at Mleiha National Park, explained that visitors would be better off seeing the blood moon with the naked eye as they can see the surrounding stars.

Before the shadow falls

Before the total lunar eclipse began, a man stood beside a telescope, eyes trained on the Moon as he prepared to witness every detail of the celestial show. The anticipation in the air mirrored the quiet awe of the night sky itself.

Blood Moon over T20

As the striking Blood Moon rose over the stadium in Sharjah, it cast a surreal glow over the T20 international cricket clash between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The celestial spectacle added a rare, magical backdrop to the evening, connecting the excitement on the field with the awe of the night sky.

Bright hues glowing vividly

From a terrace in Al Quoz, Dubai, the Moon rises like a molten orb, its deep red and glowing orange hues casting an otherworldly light across the cityscape. The night feels suspended in awe as the lunar eclipse slowly transforms the familiar Moon into a fiery spectacle.

A memorable experience

For 13-year-old Zayaan Arfaz, the lunar eclipse was a first-time spectacle he won’t soon forget. “It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen,” he told KT Special Correspondent Nasreen Abdulla.

“I went outside my building at around 9.15pm and I could see the moon being eclipsed. There was a reddish tint as well. I took a lot of photos and then called the rest of my family down. I wanted them to see it as well.”

Zayaan noticed that several neighbours had gathered as well. “One person had set up a professional camera,” he said. “He let me look through it, and I could see the red very clearly — you could even count the craters on the Moon. It was a great experience. Another one of my neighbors had binoculars, which also helped me see the moon more clearly. I loved the experience.”

Blood Moon rises in Qatar

Across the Gulf, residents shared in the excitement of the rare lunar eclipse, gathering in streets, rooftops, and open spaces to witness the celestial show.

In Doha, Qatar, the Blood Moon rose high above the city, its reddish glow drawing awe and admiration from onlookers.

Returning for the eclipse

As the afternoon sun dipped toward Asr, Hassan Shaukat returned to Dubai from Pakistan, the city greeting him with a golden glow. Word of the special lunar eclipse prayer reached him from friends, and a quiet sense of relief and reverence washed over him — he had arrived just in time.

“I’m grateful I made it,” he said. “This is a rare occasion and a meaningful opportunity to pray and seek Allah’s forgiveness,” said Shaukat.

A Pakistani national and a regular participant in eclipse prayers, Shaukat added, “A lunar eclipse prayer is a Sunnah, and I try not to miss such events.”

Eclipse in maximum stage

Under the desert sky, the Moon reached the height of its transformation, fully immersed in Earth’s shadow as the eclipse hit its maximum stage. Prabhakaran Andiappan, education coordinator at Mleiha National Park, explained the celestial mechanics behind the awe-inspiring sight.

“That’s when the moon is inside the deepest portion of the umbra, where most of the red colour comes from,” he said. “After 10.50pm, it starts leaving still it’s within the umbra shadow, but slowly it starts living from the central part of it. The deepest part of it so slowly the moon will get brighter and brighter around the corner as it approaches the penumbra shadow.”

In awe at the cosmos

While the blood-orange Moon hangs in the sky, visitors at Mleiha National Park turned their gaze elsewhere, exploring the wonders of the deep night sky.

With the Moon’s light dimmed during the eclipse, Andiappan explained, it was the perfect opportunity to observe other celestial treasures.

Telescopes were trained on the Andromeda galaxy, the double star Albireo, and the star cluster Messier 15, offering stargazers a chance to wander beyond the eclipsed Moon and marvel at the vastness of the cosmos.

Blending wonder and devotion

After offering the special eclipse prayer, Dubai resident Adnan Mehmood joined the gathering crowd, eager to witness the Moon’s transformation. “Using my new iPhone Pro, I snapped stunning high-resolution shots of the Moon’s fiery hue,” he said. “I shared them on Instagram and Snapchat — the clarity and detail were amazing. It turned a spiritual and astronomical moment into a social media highlight.”

For Mehmood, the Blood Moon was more than just a spectacle. “This eclipse reminded us that even in darkness, beauty and faith shine through — and sometimes, they’re just a lens away,” he reflected, blending wonder, devotion, and modern connectivity in one unforgettable night.

Eclipse ends

As the night continues, the Earth’s shadow begins its slow retreat from the Moon, gradually unveiling its familiar glow. The fiery red hues begin to soften, and the Moon’s usual brilliance started to return, marking the delicate final act of a celestial wonder that had held observers in awe for hours.

Blood Moon across continents

The Blood Moon cast its fiery glow across skies around the world, from the minarets of Kuwait City to the skies of China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, and Lebanon. Residents didn’t pass up the chance to marvel at the rare lunar spectacle, capturing the Moon’s deep red hues as it drifted through Earth’s shadow, uniting night skies across continents in a shared moment of cosmic wonder.

Swipe right to see the rest of the photos:

Lingering wonder

The total eclipse has just ended, and the first edges of the Moon are once again peeking out from Earth’s shadow. The partial eclipse will continue until nearly midnight before the Moon returns fully to its familiar glow, according to Astronomy Centre.

The Astronomy Centre and Dubai Astronomy Group shared striking images of the moment, capturing the Moon’s gradual return to its familiar glow as observers across the UAE marvelled at the lingering beauty of the celestial event.

Final act of the celestial spectacle

As the night drew on and the Moon slowly brightened, Anurag Amin, education coordinator at Mleiha National Park, guided observers through the final act of the celestial spectacle.

“What you see on the Moon is Earth’s shadow gradually leaving the surface,” he explained. “The Earth, Moon, and Sun were perfectly aligned, with our planet in the middle, blocking the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon.”

He continued, “Now, you’re witnessing the end of the eclipse — the umbra and penumbral shadows retreating, allowing the Moon to shine brightly once again.”

A night under the Blood Moon

That’s a wrap for our total lunar eclipse live coverage. For more updates and coverage of celestial events, stay tuned to Khaleej Times.

From the fiery Blood Moon peak to its gradual return to silver, tonight offered a remarkable glimpse of the wonders above and a moment of shared awe.

We’re now closing this live blog. The Moon is slowly emerging from Earth’s shadow, the skies settling back into their usual calm, leaving everyone who watched with memories of a truly extraordinary night.

Total lunar eclipse is near

As the night deepened, about 80 per cent of the partial eclipse had passed, and a soft reddish cast began to tint the upper left edge of the Moon. Observers held their breath, knowing that soon the shadow would sweep across the entire lunar surface, heralding the start of totality — the moment when the Moon would glow a deep, fiery red under Earth’s shadow.

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