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A penumbral lunar eclipse will occur on November 28 (Wednesday). The event will be visible in Hong Kong if the weather permits.
Scientific Officer of the Hong Kong Observatory Mr Leung Yin-kong said, "A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the moon only passes through the penumbra (partial shadow) of the earth without entering the umbra (total shadow). During the event, the moon will become only slightly dimmer. The penumbral eclipse will last for about four hours and 41 minutes from 8.13pm on November 28 to 0.53am the next morning. Most places with an unobstructed view to the east are suitable for viewing the event." Please refer to Figure 1 for the path of the moon during the eclipse.
Details of the penumbral lunar eclipse are as follows:
Hong Kong Time Direction Elevation
(Azimuth)
-------------- --------- ---------
Moon enters 8.13pm East 35 degrees
penumbra (November 28) (80 degrees)
Middle of 10.33pm East 67 degrees
eclipse (November 28) (90 degrees)
Moon leaves 0.53am West 81 degrees
penumbra (November 29) (260 degrees)
The next lunar eclipse observable in Hong Kong will occur on April 26, 2013. It will be a partial eclipse.
Please refer to the Observatory's website for a detailed explanation of a lunar eclipse: www.weather.gov.hk/gts/event/event-lunar-eclps11_e.htm.
Ends/Thursday, November 15, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:35
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