Full Lunar Eclipse Brings Rare ‘Super Blood Moon’

A full moon rises above the iconic Haghia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, early Monday, May 16, 2022. (AP)
A full moon rises above the iconic Haghia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, early Monday, May 16, 2022. (AP)
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Full Lunar Eclipse Brings Rare ‘Super Blood Moon’

A full moon rises above the iconic Haghia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, early Monday, May 16, 2022. (AP)
A full moon rises above the iconic Haghia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, early Monday, May 16, 2022. (AP)

One of our planet's most stunning sights came to the skies - a super blood Moon, reported BBC.

In the year's only full lunar eclipse, Earth came between the Sun and the Moon.

Falling fully into Earth's shadow, the Moon slowly darkened before turning dusky red.

It was visible with the naked eye before dawn on Monday in most of Europe. The Americas got a great view on Sunday evening.

The Moon appeared larger than usual because it was at its closest point to Earth of its orbit, giving it the name super Moon.

It was also called a super flower blood Moon. In the Northern Hemisphere, a full moon in May is often called a flower Moon because it coincides with the Spring flowers.

The only sunlight reaching the Moon during the full eclipse passed through the Earth's atmosphere.

This light was blood red, from all Earth's sunrises and sunsets reflected on to the Moon's surface, explains Dr. Gregory Brown, astronomer at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London.

"You'll actually be seeing every sunrise and every sunset occurring around the Earth at once. All that light will be projected on to the Moon," he told BBC News before the eclipse.

On Monday, western parts of Europe got a good but short view as the Moon sets during the eclipse. Between 02:30 and 04:30 BST, people saw the moon falling into shadow before glowing red; it was visible in Africa too.

In the UK, watching from a high vantage point like a hill or tall building was essential because of the Moon's very low position in the sky.

The UK got a better view of the earlier part of the eclipse, Dr. Brown explained.



Saudi Falcons Club Raises Endangered Wakri Falcon Count to 14 Through Hadad Program

The club has implemented a comprehensive scientific strategy to enhance biodiversity - SPA
The club has implemented a comprehensive scientific strategy to enhance biodiversity - SPA
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Saudi Falcons Club Raises Endangered Wakri Falcon Count to 14 Through Hadad Program

The club has implemented a comprehensive scientific strategy to enhance biodiversity - SPA
The club has implemented a comprehensive scientific strategy to enhance biodiversity - SPA

The Saudi Falcons Club has achieved a major environmental milestone by raising the number of endangered Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus) breeding pairs, known locally as Wakri, from two to 14 through its flagship conservation initiative, the Program to Return Falcons to their Original Habitat (Hadad).

Club spokesman Walid Al-Taweel stated that the Wakri falcon is one of the Kingdom’s rarest and most endangered native species.

He emphasized that the club has implemented a comprehensive scientific strategy to enhance biodiversity, restore ecological balance, and preserve the rich heritage of falconry, aligned with the environmental sustainability goals of Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.

Al-Taweel added that the club aims to become a national leader in conserving rare falcons by adopting advanced practices rooted in global standards. It also seeks to engage the local community in falcon rewilding efforts and in reviving their natural habitats, thereby supporting the natural breeding process within the species’ indigenous environments.

The Saudi Falcons Club continues to launch pioneering initiatives that preserve the cultural legacy of falconry, ensure its transmission to future generations, and raise public awareness about the importance of protecting and sustaining rare species as part of the broader goal of achieving environmental balance.