The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that a total lunar eclipse will occur on Sept. 7 to 8.
The moon will be totally eclipsed in Manila and other parts of the Philippines for about one hour, 22 minutes, and 54 seconds, Pagasa administrator Nathaniel Servando said, adding the eclipse will also be completely visible over East Africa, Asia, and Australia.
The public is encouraged to observe the moon directly overhead in the late evening of Sept. 7 to early morning of Sept. 8, Servando said, adding the penumbral phase will begin at 11:27 p.m., followed by the partial lunar eclipse phase that will start after midnight.
The moon enters totality at 1:30 a.m. and the maximum eclipse will occur at 2:12 a.m. The penumbral phase will end at 3:57 a.m., and the moon will exit the penumbral shadow one hour later, he added.
“During the maximum eclipse, the umbral shadow cast by the Earth will obscure 100 percent of the moon’s disk. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as a blood moon, due to the reddish hue,” Servando said.
This coloration occurs as Earth’s atmosphere filters and scatters sunlight, allowing only the red wavelengths to reach and illuminate the lunar surface, he explained.
Unlike solar eclipses, observing a lunar eclipse is completely safe and does not require protective eyewear, the Pagasa advisory said. ||
