Lunar eclipse puts on dazzling celestial display - in pictures

The UAE and several other countries in Arab region, Africa, Central Asia, Europe and northern parts of South America, had a clear view of the partial lunar eclipse

The moon during a partial lunar eclipse, as seen in Abu Dhabi

The moon during a partial lunar eclipse. Photo by Reem Mohammed / The National.

The moon during a partial lunar eclipse. Photo by Reem Mohammed / The National.

The moon during a partial lunar eclipse in Abu Dhabi. Photo by Reem Mohammed / The National.

The moon during a partial lunar eclipse. Photo by Reem Mohammed / The National.

A full moon rises above the Burj Khalifa in the Emaar Square area of Dubai on August 7, 2017. Christopher Pike / The National.

A full moon rises above the Burj Khalifa in the Emaar Square area of Dubai. Christopher Pike / The National.

The full moon is partially eclipsed, seen from the Jumeirah Village Circle area of Dubai. Christopher Pike / The National

Star-gazers in the Arab world were treated to a dazzling celestial display when a partial lunar eclipse appeared in the sky.

The UAE and several other countries in Arab region, Africa, Central Asia, Europe and northern parts of South America, witnessed a partial lunar eclipse.

It began at 6.50pm and the moon started entering the shadow region at 8.23pm, when the eclipse was clearly visible to observers.

A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, but they are not precisely aligned. Only part of the Moon's visible surface moves into the Earth's shadow.

_____________________

Read more

_____________________

Monday’s event is a prelude to the total solar eclipse, which will be visible in North America two weeks later (August 21).

The Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomical Centre (IAC) had said that many of those in the Eastern Hemisphere would have had a clear view of the phenomenon.

Most regions in South and East Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia were able to see the event.