Total lunar eclipse over Thailand on Jan 31

Total lunar eclipse over Thailand on Jan 31

File photo by Pattarachai Preechapanich
File photo by Pattarachai Preechapanich

This year's first total lunar eclipse will occur on Jan 31, a rare "Super Blue Blood Moon", and be visible nationwide weather permitting.

The moon will be full and the total phase of the eclipse will be seen, beginning in the eastern sky at 7.51pm and ending at 9.07pm, Saran Poshyachinda, executive director of National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, said on Thursday.

It will also be visible in other Asian countries, North America, Australia and parts of Europe, Africa and South America.

Two total lunar eclipses will occur this year. The second, on July 27, will also be seen in Thailand, almost in its entirety.

During next week's eclipse the moon will appear larger than normal because it will be at perigee, its closest approach to Earth in a single orbit, Mr Saran said.

It will also be the second full moon of the month, known as a Blue Moon, and the fully eclipsed moon is likely to take on a reddish colour, known as a Blood Moon - making it a Super Blue Blood Moon, according to astronomy websites.

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