Perhaps, a cloudy total lunar eclipse later, A blood moon

 

File photo! 

File photo of Jacob Mendoza DTV, photographer

A Total Lunar Eclipse occurred last night and sky watchers have been gazed which was visible in the Philippines. This eclipse is also visible in different parts of the world where the Moon is above the horizon including Asia, Australia, North America, Parts of Northern and Eastern Europe, and most of South America. We usually call this as Blood moon due to its red color. In some cultures, Blood moon has superstitious belief as to have negative effects.

“Weather permitting, a total lunar eclipse will be visible from 5:19 p.m. to 9:58 p.m. above the eastern horizon,” said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Mario Raymundo.However, the totality of the eclipse, during which the moon enters the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow, will last for one hour, 25 minutes, and 42 seconds—from 6:16 p.m. to 7:42 p.m., he said.

The greatest eclipse or the peak stage of the eclipse will be at 6:59 p.m.

This astronomical phenomenon causes the moon to appear red, which is why it is also called the “blood moon.”

Raymundo said the PAGASA Astronomical Observatory will live stream this event via the PAGASA Official Facebook Page and PAGASA YouTube channel.

Moreover, he said that some places in northern Philippines can also observe a “rare” event called the lunar occultation of planet Uranus that will occur during the time of the total lunar eclipse.

“The moon will pass in front of Uranus, creating a lunar occultation visible from the northern parts of the Philippines. This event will last for 17 minutes and 51 seconds for most of the areas,” Raymundo said.

Areas that may likely observe the occultation are Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya; Baguio City; Basco, Batanes; Cauayan, Isabela; Lingayen, Pangasinan; San Fernando, La Union; Tuguegarao City; and Vigan City.