Astronomy lovers have the opportunity to admire the "Pentium Lunar Eclipse" on the night of 5/5

Researcher Dang Vu Tuan Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Astronomy and Cosmology Association (VACA), said that according to Hanoi time, the penumbral lunar eclipse will begin at 22:14 on May 5, 2023, reach its peak with a penumbral penetration rate of 96.4% at 00:23 on May 6, 2023, and end at 02:31 on the same morning. Anywhere in Vietnam (as well as most of Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania) can observe this penumbral lunar eclipse.

Analyzing the phenomenon of Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, researcher Dang Vu Tuan Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Astronomy and Cosmology Association, emphasized that lunar eclipses in general and Penumbral Lunar Eclipse in particular, occur quite often, almost every year there is something to observe. This time, observation will be quite favorable because the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse phenomenon occurs near midnight, when the Moon is very high in the sky.

A penumbral lunar eclipse is a phenomenon in which the Moon enters the Earth's penumbral shadow. Similar to a total or partial lunar eclipse, this phenomenon occurs near the full moon, when the Moon is on the other side of the Earth relative to the Sun and the three celestial bodies are almost in a straight line.

However, unlike a total or partial lunar eclipse, a penumbral lunar eclipse only sees the Moon enter the Earth's penumbra. Therefore, it still receives a large amount of sunlight. The part of the Moon covered by the penumbral shadow darkens slightly and turns a pale reddish hue.

Researcher Dang Vu Tuan Son noted that observers should pay attention to the weather, needing a clear sky with almost no clouds to be able to see the Moon. In addition, they should choose an observation location with less light pollution for more effective observation. A telescope, binoculars or camera with a relatively high optical zoom will make observation more interesting.

However, even with the naked eye, people can still easily and safely observe this phenomenon. Unlike a total or partial lunar eclipse, a penumbral lunar eclipse does not turn dark and red, it only has a light red color and is slightly darker than a normal full moon.

A total penumbral lunar eclipse is very rare. Once the Moon enters the penumbra, it is likely that at least part of the Moon will touch the umbra – the darker inner part of the Earth's shadow.

The last time people on Earth could observe a penumbral lunar eclipse from North America was on November 30, 2020, and this special astronomical phenomenon will return on March 25, 2024. The next total lunar eclipse - often called a "blood moon" - will take place on March 13-14, 2025./.

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