Stargazers, a total lunar eclipse – also known as a blood moon – is happening on November 8, and there's a chance that you can see the celestial event in Singapore.
According to a Facebook post by the Science Centre Observatory (SCO), the eclipse will begin at 4.02pm, reach full eclipse at 6.16pm, and remain at that stage until 7.41pm. During the phase, the moon "will likely be red in colour due to the eclipse and our atmospheric conditions," says the SCO.
However, viewing the phenomenon might "challenging" as the moon will only rise at 6.46pm on the day. Not only will the rising moon appear dark at that time, it may also be too low in the sky at the time of total eclipse. According to SCO, it will only reach an "appreciable altitude" at 9pm.
But don't fret. The SCO will not be holding a viewing event, but you can still take your chances by heading somewhere with a clear view of the eastern horizon. Be there from 7pm onwards, and choose a spot with no building or trees in the way – all the better if your position is elevated. You can view the blood moon with your naked eye, though a pair of binoculars will enhance the experience.
The last total lunar eclipse was on May 26 this year. It was a particularly special one called the 'super flower blood moon', where a total lunar eclipse coincided with the supermoon phase, a time when the moon is at its closest point to the Earth. And why a "flower" moon? That's a name that references the abundance of wildflowers that bloom in May.
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