Taiwan to see penumbral lunar eclipse in January, 2020

Taipei-Sky watchers in Taiwan and other parts of Asia, as well as in Australia, Europe and Africa, may see the moon turn a shade darker during the transitional phase of a penumbral lunar eclipse on Jan. 11 next year, the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) said Thursday.

A penumbral lunar eclipse takes place when the moon moves through the faint, outer part of Earth's shadow. This type of eclipse is often mistaken for a normal full moon.

There are three types of lunar eclipses -- penumbral, partial and central, the CWB said, adding that the beginning and end of a penumbral eclipse are not visible to the naked eye.

In fact, no shading can be detected until about two-thirds of the moon's disk is immersed in the penumbra, according to the weather bureau.

In Taiwan, this astronomical phenomenon will occur in the early hours of Jan. 11, beginning at 1:06 a.m. and ending at 5:14 a.m.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel