FILIPINOS will be treated to a rare astronomical event as a total lunar eclipse becomes visible in Manila and other parts of the country on the night of September 7 until the early hours of September 8, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The eclipse will last for 1 hour, 22 minutes, and 54 seconds, with the Moon entering totality at 1:30 a.m. and reaching its maximum phase at 2:12 a.m. before gradually exiting the Earth’s shadow.
The penumbral stage will begin at 11:27 p.m. on September 7 and end at 4:57 a.m. the following morning.
“Weather permitting, the public is encouraged to witness the Moon directly overhead during this spectacular event,” said PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando, noting that lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye. “Binoculars can enhance the experience, but they are not necessary.”
Unlike solar eclipses, Servando emphasized that no protective eyewear is needed.
The total lunar eclipse will also be visible in East Africa, Asia, and Australia. During the peak, Earth’s shadow will completely cover the lunar disk, giving the Moon a deep reddish hue often called a “blood moon.”
This occurs when Earth’s atmosphere filters sunlight, scattering shorter wavelengths and allowing red light to illuminate the Moon’s surface.