Penumbral eclipse of the moon on 15 March 2006
Penumbral eclipse of the moon on 15 March 2006
(13 March 2006)
A penumbral eclipse of the moon will occur on Wednesday, 15 March 2006. Weather permitting, the penumbral eclipse can be observed by local residents that morning.
The so-called "penumbral eclipse" means that the moon only passes through the penumbra (partial shadow) of the earth's shadow without entering the umbra (total shadow). During the event, the moon will become slightly dimmer only.
The penumbral eclipse will occur between 5:21 a.m. and 10:13 a.m. Hong Kong Time and last for about 4 hours and 52 minutes. However, since the time of moonset in Hong Kong on that day is 6:37 a.m., the penumbral eclipse will only be observable for around 1 hour and 16 minutes. Please refer to the attached diagram for the path of the moon during the eclipse.
Details of the eclipse are as follows:
|
Hong Kong Time |
Azimuth Direction |
Elevation (Degrees) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moonrise |
6:02 p.m. (14 March) |
East |
0 |
| Moon enters penumbra |
5:21 a.m. (15 March) |
West |
17 |
| Sunrise |
6:33 a.m. (15 March) |
||
| Moonset |
6:37 a.m. (15 March) |
West |
0 |
| Middle of eclipse |
7:47 a.m. (15 March) |
West |
-16 |
| Moon leaves penumbra |
10:13 a.m. (15 March) |
West-northwest |
-47 |
The best places to observe the eclipse will be those with unobstructed view to the west such as Tai O, Tuen Mun, Tai Mo Shan, etc.
The next lunar eclipse observable in Hong Kong will occur on 8 September 2006. It will be a partial eclipse.
Please refer to the Hong Kong Observatory website for detailed explanation of the technical terms used for different stages of the eclipse:
http://www.weather.gov.hk/gts/astron2006/lunar_eclipse_e.htm
Penumbral eclipse of the moon on 15 March 2006