This file photo taken on July 28, 2018 shows a blood moon rising during a total lunar eclipse in Hong Kong. (KIN CHEUNG / AP)
HONG KONG – Eclipse chasers are in for a treat as a total lunar eclipse will be visible in Hong Kong on the evening of Nov 8.
If weather permits, the total eclipse can be directly observed in places with an unobstructed view to the east and will last for an hour and 26 minutes, according to a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government statement issued on Wednesday afternoon.
This graphic released on Oct 26, 2022 by Hong Kong Observatory explains the process of the total lunar eclipse, which is expected to occur on the evening of Nov 8, 2022. (PHOTO / HONG KONG OBSERVATORY)
At 6:16 pm, the phase of total eclipse will begin with the moon entering the Earth's umbra completely… During the period, the moon will not completely vanish but will appear in dull red.
HKSAR government
“The coming lunar eclipse will begin before moonrise. At 6:16 pm, the phase of total eclipse will begin with the moon entering the Earth's umbra completely,” the statement reads.
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“During the period, the moon will not completely vanish but will appear in dull red,” it added.
According to the statement, the red color is the result of the blue part of sunlight being scattered by the Earth's atmosphere and the remaining red light refracted onto the moon. The whole process of the lunar eclipse will end at 9:58 pm, it added.
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Members of the public can watch the lunar eclipse via a webcast to be jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre (sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen), the Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College and the Creative Education Unit of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.
Also on the evening of Nov 8, a lunar occultation of Uranus, or Uranus slipping behind the moon, will occur but members of the public will need a telescope to observe it.
The next lunar eclipse visible in Hong Kong will be a penumbral lunar eclipse on May 5, 2023.
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