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Friday, March 29, 2024

‘Maria’ to usher in total lunar eclipse

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A tropical storm internationally named “Maria” is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday night or Monday morning, heralding a bigger weather event—a total lunar eclipse at the end of the month.

National Geographic previously reported the total lunar eclipse on July 28 “is the longest of the century” and is expected to last one hour and 43 minutes.

A total lunar eclipse happens when the whole moon enters Earth’s shadow, according to the United States National Aeronautical and Space Administration.

Some sunlight still reaches the moon, but first it goes through Earth’s atmosphere, NASA said. The Earth’s atmosphere filters out most of the sun’s blue light, so the moon looks red.

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On Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration “Maria” was estimated at 2,050 kilometers east of South Luzon.

“If it enters the border of PAR, it would be named ‘Gardo.’ Based on its weather model, it is forecast to stay one to two days, but it is expected not to make landfall,” Weather forecaster Samuel Duran told the Manila Standard.

“Gardo” would only enhance the southwest monsoon to trigger rains in the western parts of Luzon and the Visayas, he said.

“It, however, will not directly affect the country,” Duran added.

Last month, Pagasa announced that the total lunar eclipse will occur on July 28, which will be visible in the Philippines.

In its monthly astronomy bulletin, the agency said the eclipse will begin at 1:13 am and end at 7:30 am on July 28, a Sunday.

In Manila, the moon will rise at 6:05 pm on Saturday and will set at 5:44 am the next morning, Pagasa said.

The timing of the phases of the eclipse, Pagasa said, is as follows:

Start of penumbral eclipse: 1:13 am

Start of partial eclipse: 2:24 am

Greatest eclipse: 4:21 am

Partial eclipse ends: 6:19 am (unobservable)

Penumbral eclipse ends: 7:30 am (unobservable)

Pagasa said lunar eclipses are safe to watch; observers need not use any kind of protective filters for the eyes.

“A pair of binoculars will help magnify the view and will make the red coloration of the moon brighter,” it added.

The total lunar eclipse will also be visible in Antarctica, Australasia, Asia, Russia, except its northern part, Africa, Europe, and east of South America.

The last total lunar eclipse took place on Jan. 31, with observers catching a glimpse of a super blue blood moon.

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