Astronomy buffs get ready for ‘Red moon’ spectacle

Residents in the Emirates will be able to see the moon turn completely red on Saturday in the second total lunar eclipse of the year.According to the Nasa website, the phenomenon will start at around 4:30pm, while the moon will turn completely red at the peak of the eclipse — about 6:30pm.At that time, the moon lies at the “zenith in the Pacific Ocean near Guam and the Northern Marina Islands,” it added.Those watching will be able to see the moon in stages of partial eclipse until about 8.30pm.The moon will be sampling a large range of umbral depths during totality and its appearance is expected to change dramatically with time, Nasa noted on its website.This is the last lunar eclipse that will be visible to residents in the UAE for three years. The Dubai Astronomy Group has invited those interested to watch the eclipse from its Zubair camp for free, but residents can witness the spectacle from the comfort of their own homes on their balconies or through windows.Experts have reiterated calls to those concerned that it is safe to watch the eclipse through the naked eye. Earlier in June, hundreds of people gathered outdoors to watch the moon being eclipsed by the shadow of the earth for 107 minutes in the first lunar eclipse of the year.The event would be visible from all of Asia and Australia.