Hong Kong to experience ‘super blood moon’ during first total lunar eclipse in three years
- The total lunar eclipse, which will give the moon a reddish cast, will start at 6.56pm, peak at 7.18pm and end at 9.49pm
- For optimal viewing, one expert suggests the waterfront in Hung Hom and Whampoa, as well as the Sai Kung pier and Shek O for those willing to venture further afield
A rare celestial alignment on Wednesday will give Hongkongers front-row seats to a phenomenon known as a “super blood moon” when Asia experiences its first visible total lunar eclipse in almost three years.
The eclipse will start at 6.56pm, peak at 7.18pm and end at 9.49pm.
“It’s definitely worth taking a day off to catch this lunar eclipse,” said Dickson Fu Wai-ho, president of the Sky Observers Association of Hong Kong. “It starts quite early, so people might not be able to see it in time if they go after work ends.”
Lunar eclipses happen when the sun, the Earth and the moon align, casting a shadow across the lunar surface. Because Earth’s atmosphere blocks and scatters the blue component of sunlight, only red light – which has the longest wavelength – makes it through.
The phenomenon gives the moon a reddish cast, hence the “blood moon” moniker. Super blood moons occur when the eclipse happens as the moon is nearest to Earth in its monthly orbit.