The last lunar eclipse of the year is set to grace the night sky tonight.
According to Professor Chandana Jayaratne, Director of the Astronomy and Space Science Unit at Colombo University, this celestial event will be visible not only in Sri Lanka but also in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, South America, and various oceans.
Professor Jayaratne highlighted that 2023 has witnessed a total of two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses, making this final lunar eclipse a noteworthy event for skywatchers.
The partial lunar eclipse is scheduled to begin at 11:32 p.m. tonight, as the moon enters the Earth's penumbra, the less dark part of the shadow. The eclipse will conclude at 3:56 a.m. tomorrow.
With a total duration of 4 hours and 25 minutes, the visible portion of the partial eclipse will commence at 1:05 a.m. tomorrow.
This is when the moon enters the Umbra, the darker inner part of the Earth's shadow. The Umbra phase will come to an end at 2:23 a.m. During the peak of the eclipse, at 1:44 a.m. tomorrow, approximately six percent of the moon's surface will be covered by the Earth's shadow.
Professor Jayaratne emphasized the significance of witnessing this phenomenon, urging sky gazers to take advantage of this opportunity to marvel at the wonders of the universe.
As with any celestial event, it is recommended to find a location with minimal light pollution and a clear view of the sky for optimal visibility.
Lunar eclipses provide a captivating spectacle, and this final lunar eclipse of 2023 promises to be a memorable sight for all those fortunate enough to witness it.
