Hong Kong will usher in a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical phenomenon tonight (8th). In addition to a total lunar eclipse, there will also be a "moon occultation of Uranus".
The space museum said the total lunar eclipse will begin at 6:16 p.m. and last an hour and 26 minutes, while the occultation of Uranus will appear at 6:58 p.m. tonight.
The space museum explained that during a total lunar eclipse, the moon will not disappear completely, but will appear dark red, so it is called "blood moon".
However, to observe Uranus, you must use a telescope.
The next time a total lunar eclipse and an occultation of Uranus occur simultaneously in Hong Kong will be in 4862, more than 2,800 years later.
The Space Museum stated that during the period from the moonrise to the beginning of the total lunar eclipse, the moon is in a nearly horizontal position in the east-northeast, so the public should go to places with a wide view, such as the Central and Western District Promenade, Tsim Sha Tsui Avenue of Stars and Pak Shek Kok Promenade for observation; As the moon rises higher, the total lunar eclipse can be seen from all parts of Hong Kong until about 7pm.
However, the Observatory predicts that it will be mostly cloudy today with a few showers. Whether you can see it depends on the will of God.
See the Blood Moon from 6:16pm to 7:42pm
The Space Museum has explained in the past that when the sun, the earth and the moon are in a line, and the earth is facing away from the sun, a shadow will appear. When the earth blocks, a total lunar eclipse occurs.
However, unlike a solar eclipse, during a total lunar eclipse, the moon will not disappear completely, but will appear copper-red. Because the blue band of sunlight is scattered in the earth's atmosphere, the remaining red light is refracted to the moon, forming a "blood" moon".
Tonight's moonrise will be at 5:37 p.m., and by 6:16 p.m., the moon will fully enter the Earth's umbra, and the total lunar eclipse, which lasts about 1 hour and 26 minutes, kicks off.
When the moon is closest to the center of Earth's umbra, known as the "eclipse," it will be at 6:59 p.m.
By 7:42 p.m., the total lunar eclipse will end; however, the moon will not return to its full circle until 8:49 p.m.
Hong Kong Space Museum YouTube Channel
▼On May 26, 2021, a "Super Blood Moon" appeared over Hong Kong▼
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The moon occults Uranus "beginning" and "ending" for only 9 seconds each with a telescope
The space museum said that the astronomical phenomenon of lunar occultation of Uranus will also occur during this total lunar eclipse, and explained that Uranus is one of the planets in the solar system, but because of the distance, Uranus seen from the earth is very small and very dim.
Because the moon orbits the earth, it is sometimes observed that the moon happens to be close to Uranus, and when this total lunar eclipse occurs, the moon even covers Uranus.
And it is precisely because of the total lunar eclipse that the luminosity of the moon is reduced. At this time, the moon and Uranus can be viewed with a telescope.
The occultation of Uranus will appear at 6:58 p.m., and Uranus won’t leave the moon’s rear until 7:47 p.m. to reappear.
The process from Uranus touching the lunar disk to submerging behind the moon is called "occultation", which lasts for about nine seconds; about nine seconds.
If you observe with a telescope, you can even see changes in the luminosity of Uranus.
The lunar eclipse can be seen all over Hong Kong at about 7pm, but the Observatory forecasts cloudy with showers
As for how to watch the two astronomical phenomena?
The space museum pointed out that the public can directly watch the lunar eclipse with the naked eye. During the period from the moonrise to the beginning of the total lunar eclipse, the moon is in a near-horizontal position in the east-northeast and needs to be viewed from a place with a wide field of view.
The Space Museum recommends the public to observe the places without obstacles from the east to the northeast, such as the Central and Western District Waterfront Promenade, Tsim Sha Tsui Avenue of Stars, Pak Shek Kok Waterfront Promenade, etc.
As the sky gets darker and the moon's position gets higher, as long as the weather is good, the lunar eclipse can be seen from all parts of Hong Kong at about 7pm.
However, due to the low luminosity of Uranus, the lunar occultation of Uranus can only be observed through telescopes.
The Observatory has predicted that it will be mostly cloudy today with a few showers, which is believed to hinder the public's viewing.
▼On July 27, 2018, the Mars Great Opposition met a total lunar eclipse▼
The next time you will see the lunar eclipse plus the occultation of Uranus in Hong Kong will be 4862
The Space Museum also said that the two astronomical phenomena are not uncommon, but if they occur simultaneously over Hong Kong, there will only be four chances in the next 8,000 years, because the sun, the earth, the moon and Uranus are almost perfectly aligned. will appear below.
In addition to geographical factors, Hong Kong is one of the most suitable cities in the world to observe this astronomical phenomenon.
The next total lunar eclipse visible in Hong Kong will be on September 8, 2025; but the next time a total lunar eclipse and occultation of Uranus appear in Hong Kong at the same time will be in 4862, more than 2,800 years later.
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