Next week’s blood moon: Maldives among countries with clearest visibility

Astronomy experts predict that the Maldives will be one of many Asian countries where next week's 'blood moon'—a total lunar eclipse—will be visible.

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.

Astronomy expert Abdulla Raheed (Linet) stated that the Maldives is one of the countries where next Sunday's 'blood moon' will be most clearly visible.

“The reason behind this is the fact that the moon will be positioned 13 degrees east of Male’ City’s longitude and six degrees south of latitude at 23:12pm when the eclipse will be at its peak, resulting in the moon being positioned directly above at the centre of Male',” he said.

According to Rasheed, the eclipse will be visible to the naked eye starting from 9:27pm local time. The eclipse is estimated to end at 12:56am.

He added that while it may not be a rainy night, the sky might still not offer the clearest visibility.

Eclipse prayer is performed in the Maldives during eclipses.