Total lunar eclipse to be visible in PH for 1 hour on March 3—here's how to view it
The moon is set to undergo a total eclipse on March 3, and it will be visible in Manila and other parts of the Philippines for approximately 59 minutes and 24 seconds, according to DOST-PAGASA.
The agency said in a press release that the eclipse will be visible in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao. Elsewhere in the world, it will also be seen in parts of Eastern Asia, Australia, the Central Pacific, and most of the Americas, weather permitting.
On March 3, the moon will rise in Manila at 5:58 p.m., and it will already be partially eclipsed by then.
At 7:04 p.m., the eclipse will enter totality, meaning the moon becomes completely covered by the Earth’s umbra—the planet’s darkest central shadow.
At 7:34 p.m., the eclipse will reach its maximum, which is the moment when the moon is deepest within the Earth’s umbral shadow and is completely obscured.
During this period, the moon may appear reddish because of sunlight filtered and scattered through the Earth’s atmosphere. This appearance has given birth to the term "blood moon."
The moon will remain in the Earth's primary shadow until 8:03 p.m. and leave the umbral shadow at 9:17 p.m.
The moon will emerge from the Earth's penumbral shadow—the lighter part of the shadow—at 10:25 p.m.
How to observe the total lunar eclipse
According to DOST-PAGASA, all the experience requires is a simple pair of binoculars. However, since the eclipse will be completely visible in metropolitan areas in the country, binoculars may not even be necessary, as people can just see it plainly.
As this is a lunar eclipse, not solar, it is completely safe to look straight at it without protective eyewear.
If you would like to have a closer view of the eclipse, however, a small telescope should do the trick.
It's best to observe the eclipse away from bright city lights that may hinder your view of the moon, or the lack of it.
In the event that skies become cloudy, keep an eye out for online updates from DOST-PAGASA.
