JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s sky will witness on Wednesday the first phenomenon of partial lunar eclipse in 2018 in conjunction with the presence of the moon at a very close distance from the Earth.
The moon will appear larger than normal. It is an extremely rare celestial event known as a super blue blood moon. According to NASA, the super blue blood moon was last seen when the three elements came together in 1866.
The moon will turn into near darkness after falling behind the Earth with the emergence of the full moon of the current Jamad Al-Awwal month.
During 2018, the Kingdom’s sky will witness a second lunar eclipse in the middle of Dhul Qaada month, corresponding to July 28.
It could be seen as a total lunar eclipse in all regions of the Kingdom, an astronomer at the University of King Abdul Aziz, Malham Hindi, told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
“The partial lunar eclipse that will occur on Wednesday will happen with the beginning of the moon’s exit from behind the moon’s umbra (shadow),” Hindi said.
The moonrise will start in the Kingdom from the eastern region at 5:22 p.m. with a view of 76 percent.
The moonrise starts consecutively in the rest of the Kingdom. The moon shines in Riyadh at 5:39 p.m. with an eclipse of 37 percent in the regions of the northern borders with 36 percent, Qassim with 34 percent, Hail with 22 percent, Najran with 14 percent, Abha with 4 percent, Jazan with 2 percent and Al-Baha with 1 percent.
Hindi pointed out that the phases of the lunar eclipse end with the moon’s exit from the shadow of the Earth at 6:11 p.m. before its rise on the regions of Makkah, Madinah and Tabuk.
Therefore, the people of these areas will not be able to see the eclipse, while the moon will remain affected by the penumbra of the Earth’s shadow, which is seen by all the population of the Kingdom after the end of the partial eclipse until it ends at 7:08 p.m. Saudi Arabia time.
He explained that the people of Alaska, Russia, East Asia and Australia can see the total lunar eclipse at all stages after the beginning of the eclipse on Jan. 31 at 2:48 p.m. Saudi Arabia time. The moon totally enters behind the Earth’s shadow at 3:51 p.m.
Saudi Arabia to witness partial lunar eclipse on Jan. 31
Saudi Arabia to witness partial lunar eclipse on Jan. 31
Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services
RIYADH: A project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief to improve healthcare services for Syrian refugees and their host community in Bebnine, Akkar Governorate, has continued in Lebanon.
Some 2,689 patients were seen at the Akkar-Bebnine Health Care Center in December with 6,194 services provided under pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, community and psychological health programs.
Of the total number of patients, 68 percent were women and 51 percent were refugees, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year
- The work reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment through KSrelief to help those most in need
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued its humanitarian work at the start of 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
In Syria, 892 families received food aid and health kits in the Afrin and Aleppo governorates of the war-torn country, benefiting 5,352 individuals.
The agency also distributed bags of flour, winter kits, and personal-care bags to 211 families in Syria’s Al-Rastan area, benefitting 968 individuals.
In Syria’s Rural Damascus governorate, KSrelief distributed bags of flour, food aid, personal-care bags, and shelter kits to 164 families.
In Pakistan, there were 2,821 food parcels, benefiting 18,638 people, distributed in the Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan areas of Punjab province, and the Hingol area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
KSrelief also distributed 1,082 clothing vouchers to families in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan’s Amman, Zarqa and Balqa governorates.
Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition
- Exhibition is homage to renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai
The much-anticipated “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition will be held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in JAX Diriyah from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8.
Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition, ratified by the Kingdom’s Museums Commission, will showcase the works of the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
It will highlight the history and evolution of manga, and provide a perspective on how Hokusai’s classical illustrations have influenced modern visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Hokusai published his first collection of art in 1814, featuring sketches of “daily life, landscapes and whimsical creatures,” according to a post on X by the museum.
The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art aims to foster cultural exchange between local and international creators.
Kingdom readies itself for 3 days of rain and high winds
- Warning of high waves along the Kingdom’s coastlines
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for rainfall across most parts of the Kingdom over the next three days after the National Center for Meteorology issues warnings on Thursday.
In a weather bulletin, the NCM warned of downpours accompanied by winds of up to 60 kph, and the possibility of torrential rain and hail. High waves are expected along the nation’s coastlines.
The regions of Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, and Hail will have rainy conditions on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions; on Saturday and Sunday in the Eastern Province, Asir and Jazan; and on Saturday in Qassim.
For the Riyadh and Al-Baha regions, rain is expected from Friday to Sunday.
The NCM urged the public to stay updated on the weather conditions in the Kingdom by checking the daily reports on its website, the Anwaa application, or its social media accounts.
Saudi Falcons Club CEO and Kazakhstan ambassador discuss ways to boost cooperation
RIYADH: The CEO of the Saudi Falcons Club, Ahmed Al-Hababi, met Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Madiyar Menilbekov, in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss opportunities for cooperation and ways in which these might be enhanced to benefit mutual goals.
One of the topics was the Hadad Program, a leading initiative developed by the club with the aim of returning falcons to their natural habitats and saving the species from the threat of extinction.
Menilbekov praised the club for the important role it plays in enhancing falconry and preserving its cultural heritage.
The club said the meeting was part of its efforts to strengthen international partnerships in keeping with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.
