All you need to know about partial solar eclipse in UAE today

October 25 marks the rare celestial event of partial solar eclipse across the Middle East, Europe, Northern Africa and Asia.

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes between the Sun and the Earth, as they are not perfectly aligned. People viewing the partial solar Eclipse will see part of the Sun covered by the Moon, or it will appear as if a ‘bite’ has been taken out of the Sun.

In the UAE, the eclipse begins at 2.42pm and ends at 4.54pm. The maximum eclipse will happen at 3.52pm local time.

Engineer Mohamed Shawkat Odeh, Director of the International Astronomical Center: The Arab region will witness a partial #solareclipse tomorrow, Tuesday, October 25, 2022, which will be visible in Arab countries except for #Morocco, #Mauritania, and #Comoros.#UAE_BARQ_EN pic.twitter.com/WP089tzRtk

— UAE BARQ (@UAE_BARQ_EN) October 24, 2022

According to Dubai Health Authority (DHA), people must avoid looking directly at the Sun without proper eye protection as it can cause vision damage, retinal burns or eclipse blindness.

“Sunglasses and camera lenses don’t provide protection during the eclipse. If you are planning to watch the eclipse sun, solar filters or eclipse glasses can be used to view them,” DHA added.

They also advised “not to allow children to look directly at the sun.”

We advise you to avoid looking directly at the sun during the time of the #eclipse to protect yourself from vision damage, retinal burns or eclipse blindness. pic.twitter.com/XDvHq2uOAB

— هيئة الصحة بدبي (@DHA_Dubai) October 24, 2022

Mosques in some countries, including the UAE, will host special prayers after the ‘Asr’ prayer today, as the partial eclipse peaks.

Across the country’s mosques.. “Islamic Affairs and Endowments” calls for performing the #eclipseprayer.#UAE_BARQ_EN pic.twitter.com/nAp6uLJGkX

— UAE BARQ (@UAE_BARQ_EN) October 25, 2022

The next partial solar eclipse won’t be visible until 2027 in the UAE, according to the Dubai Astronomy Group.