The Maldives is among the countries to experience a lunar experience on the eve of the new year.

The eclipse will occur at 11pm tonight, but astronomers say it might not be fully visible till around 12.20am.

Other countries that will experience the eclipse are Sri Lanka, parts of the United States, Australia, South Africa, Indonesia and much of the European and Arctic regions.

The eclipse would last for about an hour, experts said.

The Maldives is also set to experience a solar eclipse on January 15, 2010.