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A penumbral eclipse of the moon will occur on March 15 (Wednesday). Weather permitting, the penumbral eclipse can be observed by local residents that morning.
The so-called "penumbral eclipse" means that the moon only passes through the penumbra (partial shadow) of the earth's shadow without entering the umbra (total shadow). During the event, the moon will only become slightly dimmer.
The penumbral eclipse will occur between 5.21am and 10.13am (Hong Kong time) and last for about 4 hours and 52 minutes. However, since the time of moonset in Hong Kong on that day is 6.37am, the penumbral eclipse will only be observable for around 1 hour and 16 minutes. Please refer to the attached diagram for the path of the moon during the eclipse.
Details of the eclipse are as follows:
HK Azimuth Elevation
Time Direction (Degrees)
Moonrise 6.02 pm East 0
(14 March)
Moon enters 5.21 am West 17
penumbra (15 March)
Sunrise 6.33 am
(15 March)
Moonset 6.37 am West 0
(15 March)
Middle of 7.47 am West -16
eclipse (15 March)
Moon leaves 10.13 am West-northwest -47
penumbra (15 March)
The best places to observe the eclipse will be those with unobstructed views to the west such as Tai O, Tuen Mun, Tai Mo Shan, etc.
The next lunar eclipse observable in Hong Kong will occur on September 8, 2006. It will be a partial eclipse.
Please refer to the Hong Kong Observatory website for a detailed explanation of the technical terms used for different stages of the eclipse: http://www.weather.gov.hk/gts/astron2006/lunar_eclipse_e.htm .
Ends/Monday, March 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:00
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