Partial Lunar Eclipse 31 Dec 2009

A partial lunar eclipse will take place on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2009, the last of four lunar eclipses in 2009. Only a tiny sliver of the Moon will be in the Earth's umbral shadow, but there should be a distinct darkening visible over the Moon's surface at greatest eclipse.

This will be visible in Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe. The greatest occurrence is expected to be approximately between 18:52 – 19:52 Hours GMT, when the moon enters the darkest part of the earth’s shadow (Umbra) the last traces of the shadow will disappear by 21:30

Momineen are requested to pray Salaat of Ayaat in Europe between 18:55 – 21:20 GMT

Some relevant rulings regarding eclipse

1505. If a person delays offering of Namaz-e-Ayaat till the sun or the moon starts coming out of eclipse, the niyyat of Ada (i.e. praying within time) will be in order, but if he offers the prayers after the eclipse is over, he should make a niyyat of qadha.

1508. If a person did not know about the sun or the moon eclipse, and came to know after the eclipse was over, he should give its qadha if it was a total eclipse. And if he comes to know that the eclipse was partial, qadha will not be obligatory

Crescent Sighting - Information