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Visibility of lunar eclipse low
DUBAI - Early birds maybe able to catch a glimpse of the lunar eclipse in the early hours of February 21 but a combination of low light and sand in the air from today’s shamal mean visibility will be poor.
Residents were told they must not be concerned about the lunar eclipse as it would have no effect on people.
Dubai Astronomy Group chief editor Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri said the organisation had received many calls recently from residents, mainly from the subcontinent, worried about the effects of the lunar eclipse.
Pregnant women in particular were worried about the effect on their babies and took precautions such as not carrying knives or going through doors.
‘A really big chunk of the community is superstitious,’ Al Hariri said.
‘There is no effect. It’s simply old tales. It’s all fiction.’
Khaleej Times was also contacted residents including Fatima, a pregnant woman, taking note of eclipse times so she could rest during that period.
Although she acknowledged it was ‘illogical thinking,’ it was her first child and she was following the advice of her elder sister.
Dr Salima Wani, Consultant Gynecology and Obstetrics at Corniche Hospital, confirmed that lunar eclipses have no harmful effects on unborn babies.
‘There is no scientific evidence that says lunar eclipse could cause defects in the unborn babies. In general, pregnant women should not get exposed to high dose of radiation. Light dose of radiation like that in the eclipse could not cause any harm’, said Dr Wani. Dr Mohammed Howaidi, Consultant Pediatric at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) said, ‘The lunar eclipse is not known for adversely affecting children’s eyes. For solar eclipse children need to wear special glasses but not for the lunar eclipse,’ he said.
Al Hariri said the organisation organised educational events including seminars and training courses to help dispel such myths.
Usama Ibrahim, Executive Secretary at the Emirates Astronomical Society (EAS) in Abu Dhabi said the lunar eclipse will only be visible for less than two hours after it starts at 5.43am today and while the moon sets from 6.56am on Thursday. The full eclipse finishes at 9.09am local time but the remainder won’t be visible in the UAE.
Residents were recommended to look to the western sky, preferably in a place away from buildings such as the beach.
During the eclipse the moon can become a dramatic orange, red or brown colour.
However, Al Hariri said visibility would be poor because of the low light and the shamal.
As a result, the group hadn’t arranged any viewing gatherings.
The eclipse can be viewed with eclipse glasses or the naked eye.
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