KUCHING: Malaysians will have the chance to witness a rare astronomical spectacle — a total lunar eclipse, also known as the ‘blood moon’ from the night of Sept 7 until the early hours of Sept 8.
The Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) said the phenomenon will begin at 11.28 pm and end at 4.55 am, with the full eclipse expected to last one hour and 22 minutes.
“The phases of the total lunar eclipse are the penumbral eclipse which will start at 11.28 pm, followed by the partial eclipse at 12.26 am.
“The total eclipse will begin at 1.30 am, reaching maximum at 2.11 am, and ending at 2.53am. The partial eclipse will end at 3.56 am, with the penumbral phase concluding at 4.55 am,” it said in a Facebook post.
MYSA further explain that the lunar eclipse occurs when the earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow over the moon.
“During the peak, the moon will take on a reddish-orange hue due to the refraction of sunlight by earth’s atmosphere.
“Hence, this phenomenon is also know as ‘blood moon’,” it said.
It added the eclipse will be visible across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
“In Malaysia, the entire sequence can be observed clearly, weather permitting, either with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope,” it said.
MYSA also said the total duration of the eclipse, excluding the penumbral stage, will last three hours and 30 minutes.
In Sarawak, the public may join organised observation sessions at Miri Astronomical Centre, Bintulu Astronomical Centre or the Malaysian Islamic Skills Institute Sarawak (IKMAS).
The observation sessions are organised by the Sarawak Mufti Department.
