Egypt to witness partial lunar eclipse on August 28

Egypt will witness a partial lunar eclipse at dawn on Friday, coinciding with the full moon of Rabi al-Awwal 1448 in the Islamic calendar, the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics said.

Earth’s shadow will cover around 93 per cent of the moon’s surface during the eclipse, which will begin in Egypt at 5:34 am (0234 GMT).

The eclipse will reach its maximum visible point in Cairo at 6:29 am, around sunrise, before ending at 8:52 am, the institute said.

The entire astronomical phenomenon will last approximately five hours and 38 minutes, while the partial eclipse itself will continue for about three hours and 18 minutes.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the full moon, casting its shadow across the moon.

The institute said viewing a lunar eclipse with the naked eye is safe, unlike a solar eclipse, which requires special protective equipment.