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A spokesman for the Hong Kong Space Museum said today (June 10) that there will be two opportunities to observe lunar eclipses in Hong Kong this year and that both of them will be total lunar eclipses.
The spokesperson said that the first total lunar eclipse will happen on June 16 from the early hours of the morning until before dawn and that people will be able to view the complete phase of the total lunar eclipse.
"This eclipse will be characterised by a comparatively long duration of one hour and 41 minutes. Compared with that of the longest total lunar eclipse set to occur in this century, the one that will occur in 2018, the total phase of the June 16 eclipse will be shorter by less than three minutes only. In Hong Kong, the moonset will occur immediately after the total phase is completed," the spokesperson said.
"The second total lunar eclipse in 2011 will occur on December 10. It will be much shorter and will last for 52 minutes only. The moon will enter umbra early at 8.45pm on a Saturday night, which will be a good time for families to enjoy observing this eclipse together as Sunday is a holiday for many of us."
The spokesperson added that it is not uncommon for two consecutive total lunar eclipses to be visible from the same place within a 12-month period. In Hong Kong, such a situation previously occurred during 2000 and 2001 and the next time it will happen will be in 2014 and 2015."
The Hong Kong Space Museum has produced a simulation video of the June 16 total lunar eclipse. To view the clip, please visit www.youtube.com/hkspacem.
Ends/Friday, June 10, 2011
Issued at HKT 12:55
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