A Partial Lunar Eclipse – the most notable astronomical phenomenon in the second half of 2023 will occur in the early morning of October 29. Observers across Vietnam and many other regions around the world will be able to witness this event.
Next Partial Lunar Eclipse Will Be in 3 Years
According to the Vietnam Astronomical and Cosmological Association (VACA), the event occurring on the morning of October 29 will be a partial lunar eclipse with relatively low coverage. However, it remains a noteworthy astronomical event, especially in areas with favorable weather, as lunar eclipses (as well as solar eclipses) will be quite rare for observers in Vietnam in the coming years. The next time we can observe a lunar eclipse from Vietnam will be in September 2025, which will be a total lunar eclipse.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align (or nearly align) with Earth in the middle. At this moment, the Moon enters the shadow area behind Earth and receives only a portion of sunlight compared to when it is not in this area. For this reason, part or all of the Moon will appear darker than usual and take on a reddish hue.
Lunar eclipses are not particularly rare (there is usually at least one occurrence of a partial, total, or penumbral lunar eclipse each year) and are very easy to observe even without any supporting instruments. Nonetheless, it remains a fascinating optical phenomenon that captures the attention of many.
Vietnam is about to witness a rare partial lunar eclipse.
Coverage and Observability
Mr. Đặng Vũ Tuấn Sơn, President of VACA, stated that the lunar eclipse this month will last a total of 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 15 seconds from the beginning to the end of the partial phase, with the total duration of the event exceeding 4 hours when including the penumbral phase. However, the penumbral phase is not particularly significant; the most interesting time to observe is during the partial lunar eclipse.
Vietnam and nearly the entire regions of Asia, Europe, and Africa will fully observe this phenomenon. NASA’s map indicates the areas where the lunar eclipse will be visible. Vietnam is in the area marked “All Eclipse Visible,” allowing for a complete view of the event.
Below is the detailed schedule of the phenomenon, according to Vietnam time on the morning of October 29, 2022 (according to Timeanddate.com):
- Penumbral lunar eclipse begins: 01:01;
- Partial lunar eclipse begins: 02:35;
- Maximum lunar eclipse: 03:14;
- Partial lunar eclipse ends: 03:52;
- Penumbral lunar eclipse ends: 05:26.
A lunar eclipse is completely harmless to your eyes, so you can observe it directly. You also do not need specialized equipment like telescopes or binoculars to enjoy this phenomenon—though having them would provide a much more interesting view. Essentially, there are two important points to note for observation:
Weather is always crucial. If it rains, storms, or there are clouds, you will not be able to observe the phenomenon. Therefore, you need a relatively clear sky. Generally, as long as you can see the Moon and it does not hide behind any clouds, you can observe the lunar eclipse. Choose a viewing location with as wide an angle as possible, avoiding artificial light (street lamps, lights from buildings) shining directly into your eyes from above.
Mr. Đặng Vũ Tuấn Sơn advises astronomy enthusiasts to note the terminology: a lunar eclipse is a lunar eclipse, not a “Blood Moon” (a relatively inaccurate term that has become popular in recent years). This is also a completely normal optical phenomenon, unrelated to any spiritual or religious factors.
