First lunar eclipse of this year on Friday night

Astronomical studies show that the first lunar eclipse of this year taking place Friday night can be sighted from the Maldives.

The eclipse will begin at 8:15pm tomorrow night and conclude at 12:30am.

Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) states the eclipse will peak at approximately 10:22pm.

However, the office forecasts the eclipse will most likely be faintly visible owed to the rainy weather presently experienced across the Maldives. Nevertheless, if the skies are clear, the eclipse will be clearly visible.

Islamic Ministry decided against holding congregational Salat ul-Kusuf or the eclipse prayer as at no time, during the eclipse, would any part of the moon lose its light. 

The eclipse will mark the second eclipse of this year; the first having been a solar eclipse.

Met Office also forecasts the eclipse will most probably be faintly visible in some other countries in the region.

A lunar eclipse takes place when the sun, earth, and the moon align, thereby, allowing the moon to pass in the earth's shadow.