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Missed the last ‘blood moon’ in September because of your bedtime? Good news: there’s another one just around the corner. Mark your calendars for the Lantern Festival as the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has confirmed the next major astronomical event – a total lunar eclipse – will take place on March 3, and you won’t even need to stay up late for this one!
What is a lunar eclipse?
Lunar eclipses occur when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in direct alignment, forming a straight line that causes the Earth to cast a shadow on the moon. A total lunar eclipse will create the appearance of a ‘blood moon’ – so named for its reddish glow when the Earth’s atmosphere is perfectly positioned to scatter shorter blue wavelengths of light, while simultaneously allowing longer red wavelengths of light to reach the Moon.
What time can we see the eclipse?
HKO reports that the total lunar eclipse is expected to begin on Tuesday, March 3, when the Moon enters the penumbra, the first stage of the lunar eclipse, at 4.43pm, but hold your horses before you decide to skive off work to see it – this initial phase of the eclipse will not to visible in Hong Kong anyway. Stargazers will need to hold out until 7.04pm for the beginning of the total eclipse, and at 7.34pm, the maximum eclipse will occur, so that’s what you’ll want to set your alarm for. Between 7.04pm and 8.03pm, the Moon will be in its total eclipse phase for 59 minutes, and that’s when you will be able to see the famous ‘blood moon’ phenomenon. Gradually, the Moon will leave the umbra at 9.18pm, and the eclipse will end at 10.25pm when the Moon completely exits the penumbra.
Where should I go to see the total lunar eclipse?
Cast your gaze to the east, HKO advises. For best results, you’ll want to find someplace that offers unobstructed views, and of course, the weather has to play ball. Locations with high elevations will offer a height advantage over the skyscrapers. Consider places on the eastern side of Hong Kong such as Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay in the New Territories, or Shek O and Cape D’Aguilar on Hong Kong Island for minimal light pollution.
If you’re content to remain at home, HKO is hosting a live webcast here in collaboration with the Hong Kong Space Museum and other educational organisations, so you can observe the astrological phenomenon without ever leaving the sofa.
Is there anything I should avoid doing during the lunar eclipse?
Well, not really – a lunar eclipse is not like a solar eclipse, so you can stare directly at the Moon without protective eyewear. However, if you’re of the superstitious ilk, there are certain things that some cultures suggest to avoid doing – such as cooking or eating during the astronomical event, handling sharp tools or objects, or engaging in auspicious activities, as some believe there are imbalanced energies in the air during this time.
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