Total Lunar Eclipse on December 10, 2011

A total lunar eclipse will be observed in Asia, Australia, eastern Europe, and northwest North America on December 10, 2011. It will be visible in the Philippines and Malaysia just after sunset.


According to PAGASA, the entire event is visible from North America except the eastern part, the Hawaiian Island, Oceania, Australasia, Asia, eastern Africa, and eastern Europe. The eclipse will begin at 7:33 PM Philippine Standard Time (PST) and will end at 1:30 AM (PST) on December 11, 2011.

In Manila, the moon will rise at 5:13 P.M. on 10 December and will set at 5:38 A.M. on 11 December. The major phases of the eclipse are as follows:

PHASE | TIME (PST)

• Penumbral eclipse begins: 7:33 PM (PST)
• Partial eclipse begins: 8:45 PM (PST)
• Greatest eclipse: 10:31 PM (PST)
• Partial eclipse ends: 12:17 AM (PST) Dec. 11
• Penumbral eclipse ends: 1:30 AM (PST)Dec. 11

The peak stage of the total eclipse will be visible at 10:31 p.m. (PST). At this stage, the Moon is at its closest to the center of the Earth's umbra. The sun's shadow will completely cover the moon at this time when the brightness of moon will be reduced to less than 40 per cent of its original brightness. Deep red or rust-colored eclipse or very dark central shadow will be seen while outer edge of umbra is relatively bright.

This will be the second total lunar eclipse this year. The first was on June 15. Lunar eclipse is a regular phenomenon and occurs at least once every year and may go up to four times a year. A total of seven eclipses can be seen in a year.

Photo Credit: dailybhaslar.com

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