PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE ON JAN 1

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysians will be able to observe a
partial lunar eclipse on Jan 1, between 1.17am and 5.28am, according to the
National Space Agency (Angkasa).

It said in a statement Tuesday the eclipse would start at 1.17am when the
moon starts to pass the penumbral shadow of the Earth.

However, it added, the eclipse could only be observed when the moon starts
passing the umbra (the darkest part of a shadow) at 2.53am until the maximum
phase at 3.24am.

"The moon will totally leave the Earth's umbra shadow at 4.53am," the
statement said, adding that the eclipse would last until 5.28am.

A lunar eclipse generally occurs when the moon passes the Earth's shadow
during full moon.


Angkasa, with the cooperation of the National Mosque, will organise an
eclipse observation session at the main entrance of the mosque from 1am to 6am
on Jan 1, the statement said.

A live web cast of the partial lunar eclipse will be available on the
Angkasa website at www.angkasa.gov.my.

-- BERNAMA