“This lunar eclipse will be the darkest in almost 100 years as the centers of the sun, the earth and the moon would nearly be on one straight line,” said. Zaki A. Al-Mostafa, chief of the National Astronomy Center at King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology (KACST), here Tuesday. “Sky enthusiasts all over the country will have the opportunity to witness this astronomical event.”

Al-Mostafa called on the people to offer prayers during the eclipse period following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

People across the country and in the region will be able to see the spectacular event. This lunar eclipse will block more of the moon than the last lunar eclipse that was visible from Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 6, 1971. The next lunar eclipse to occur in the region with the same darkness and longevity will be in the year 2058 of the Gregorian calendar.