The total lunar eclipse will coincide with next Tuesday’s Lantern Festival, giving sky watchers across Taiwan a rare opportunity to see a “blood moon,” the Central Weather Administration (CWA) announced on Tuesday.
According to CWA, the lunar eclipse has already begun when the moon rises around 5:50 p.m. and parts of the moon’s surface are darkened by Earth’s shadow.
Photo courtesy of Taipei Astronomical Museum
The eclipse is expected to last from 7:04 p.m. to 8:03 p.m., turning the full moon a dark red color.
The eclipse is expected to reach its peak at 7:34 p.m. and last 4 hours and 35 minutes.
According to CWA, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, and when total, it casts a bronze-colored shadow on the moon.
The last time Taiwan saw a total lunar eclipse was on September 7 last year.
After March 3, the next time it will be completely visible from Taiwan will be December 31, 2028.
CWA said the event does not require special equipment, but telescopes can improve visibility and recommends a location with a clear view of the eastern horizon.
It added that the live webcast is scheduled to begin on the CWA website at 5:40 p.m.