Penumbral lunar eclipse on Spring Lantern Festival
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A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the moon only passes through the penumbra (partial shadow) of the Earth without entering the umbra (total shadow). During the event, the moon will become only slightly dimmer. To observe and take pictures of the eclipse, members of the public may find a viewing location with an unobstructed view of the horizon to the west.
The detailed time, elevation and azimuth angles of the penumbral lunar eclipse are as follows:
| Time | Elevation | Direction (Azimuth) | |
| Moon enters penumbra | 6.32am | 4 degrees | West-northwest (282 degrees) |
| Moonset | 6.54am | -1 degrees | West-northwest (284 degrees) |
| Maximum eclipse | 8.44am | Below the horizon | |
| Moon leaves penumbra | 10.55am | ||
The previous lunar eclipse on Spring Lantern Festival, which was also a penumbral eclipse, occurred on February 9, 2009. The next lunar eclipse observable in Hong Kong will be a partial eclipse on August 7 this year, while the next lunar eclipse on Spring Lantern Festival will be a total eclipse on March 3, 2026.
For the astronomical observation conditions and the latest weather conditions on the Spring Lantern Festival, please refer to the Weather Information for Astronomical Observation webpage (www.hko.gov.hk/gts/astronomy/astro_portal.html) and the 9-day Weather Forecast (www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm) issued by Hong Kong Observatory.
Ends/Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:25
Issued at HKT 16:25
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