PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE ATTRACTS 1,500 STARGAZERS DESPITE CLOUDY SKIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- About 1,500 star-gazers gathered at the
National Mosque here in the wee hours of Friday to witness a partial lunar
eclipse that lasted for 29 minutes.

The eclipse started at 1.17am when the moon entered the Earth's penumbra and
started passing the umbra at 2.53am.

However, due to cloudy skies, these first two stages were hardly visible for
the stargazers, even through telescopes.

The group was not totally disappointed when the clouds parted and provided a
clear view of the eclipse when it reached its maximum phase at 3.24am. The total
eclipse lasted for just 29 minutes before the moon passed through Earth's umbra
at 3.53am.

Apart from the eclipsed moon, the stargazers also had the opportunity to
observe Mars and Saturn through their telescopes.

At 2.30am, the Muslims stargazers performed the "solat khusuf" (lunar
eclipse prayers) in conjunction with the phenomenon.

Stargazer Muhammad Nizam Shamsury, 26, said he was a little frustrated when
he could not see the two earlier phases of the eclipse, even through a
telescope, due to the cloudy skies.

"I waited till the end because I wanted to know how the eclipse of the moon
occurred. This is the first time I am actually seeing it," he told Bernama.

For Muhammad Ridhuan Che Alim, 27, the opportunity to witness the eclipse
was the best way to spend his New Year holiday.

"I did not mind the long wait because I was so thrilled to see for myself
how an eclipse occurred. It's really something worth learning about.

"Even though I'm a little disappointed for not being able to see the first
two phases, the information provided by the National Space Agency (Angkasa) was
sufficient," he said.

Meanwhile, Angkasa Education and Science director Azreena Ahmad said those
who had missed the opportunity to witness the partial lunar eclipse, could view
its recorded version at Angkasa's website www.angkasa.gov.my.

She said the eclipse would occur at least twice a year.

On Jan 15, a solar eclipse was expected to occur, she said.

Also present to witness the lunar eclipse was the Grand Imam of the National
Mosque, Syaikh Ismail Muhammad.
-- BERNAMA