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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lunar eclipse, meteor shower to illuminate PH skies this weekend

Lunar eclipse, meteor shower to illuminate PH skies this weekend

Published May 3, 2023 02:19 am
A lunar eclipse and meteor shower will both be visible in the Philippines this weekend, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). A lunar eclipse will take place from the evening of May 5 to the early morning of May 6, according to PAGASA’s astronomical diary for May. “The moon will pass through 95 percent of the penumbral shadow and cause a minor darkening of the lunar surface, thus creating a penumbral lunar eclipse,” PAGASA said. Anywhere where the moon is above the horizon will be able to see the penumbral lunar eclipse, including Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Antarctica. PAGASA said the astronomical event, which will last for four hours, 21 minutes, and 36 seconds, will be visible in the country between 11:12 p.m. on Friday and 3:34 a.m. on Saturday. The maximum eclipse will occur at 1:23 a.m. on Saturday. “Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to watch and do not require the use of any kind of protective filter for the eyes. A pair of binoculars may also be used to help magnify the view,” PAGASA said. Predicted comparison of the Moon’s image before the eclipse and the maximum eclipse on May 5-6, 2023. (Earthsky/PAGASA)

Sky-dazzling meteor shower

 Another noteworthy celestial occurrence is the η-Aquariid meteor shower, which can be observed from April 19 to May 28. PAGASA said it is a significant meteor shower produced by Comet Halley’s debris and will reach its peak on May 6. “This meteor shower may produce about 40 meteors per hour in a very dark and cloudless condition,” PAGASA said. “η-Aquariids is best observed shortly before dawn when their radiant is at its highest point in the sky. [However], the presence of a waning gibbous Moon, in the constellation Libra at the shower’s peak, will cause significant interference with the shower observation,” it added. Another meteor shower that can be seen in May is called the η-Lyrids, which is active from May 3 to 14. Its peak activity will happen on May 9, producing up to three meteors per hour. “The finest shower display for observing η-Lyrids occurs around 4 a.m., when the radiant is at its highest point in the sky. This can be observed just before daybreak,” PAGASA said. “[However], the waning gibbous moon in Sagittarius presents significant interference with the observation,” it pointed out.

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