In the early hours of October 29th, astronomy enthusiasts will have the opportunity to observe a partial lunar eclipse, a phenomenon lasting over an hour that will cause the Moon to appear a deep red.
The phenomenon will be visible across the entire territory of Vietnam, although the coverage will be low, only slightly over 12% at its peak. The lunar eclipse will begin at 2:35 AM and end at 3:52 AM on October 29th ( Hanoi time), with its peak at 3:14 AM. The phenomenon will end a little over an hour later.
According to Mr. Dang Vu Tuan Son, President of the Vietnam Astronomical and Space Association (VACA), in the early morning of October 29th, a portion of the Moon will enter the Earth's shadow, causing it to darken and appear reddish. This area, which completely enters the shadow, accounts for approximately 12% of the Moon's illuminated disk and will be a deep red. The remaining area, a penumbral eclipse, will be a lighter shade of red.
A partial lunar eclipse does not cause the entire Moon to be shrouded in darkness. Photo: Chattaphan Sakulthong/Shutterstock .
He said that observers don't need any protective equipment because lunar eclipses don't pose the same danger to the eyes as solar eclipses. The phenomenon can be observed entirely with the naked eye, as long as the sky is clear enough to see the Moon. "However, a small telescope or binoculars would make the observation more enjoyable," he suggested.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through part of the Earth's shadow (called the penumbra) and only a portion of the Moon passes through the darkest part (called the Umbra). This is the second lunar eclipse of the year, following the penumbra in May, and can be observed across Europe, Asia, Africa, and western Australia.
According to NASA, partial lunar eclipses may not look as spectacular as total eclipses, when the Moon is completely covered by Earth's shadow, but they occur more frequently. "This means more opportunities to observe subtle changes in the solar system unfolding right before our eyes," NASA shared. In Vietnam, astronomy enthusiasts will not have the chance to observe the next lunar eclipse until September 2025.
Nhu Quynh
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