A Total Lunar Eclipse

On the 16th of June 2011, there was a total lunar eclipse. Lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes behind the earth hence blocking the sun’s rays from shinning ontothe surface of the moon.

At 5.45 a.m., I went out to look at the eclipse. I looked at the place where the moon was supposed to be. The sky was very cloudy. Not a star was spotted.

However, I spotted a faint glow of light which was most probably the moon. I waited for the clouds to clear. It was only around 6.05 a.m. when I could really see the moon but of course, the eclipse was no longer so visible. Still, the moon was beautifully glowing like a golden ball in the cloudy sky.

The moon at 6:05 a.m. However the moon looks much beautiful in real life...

After waiting until 6.20am, I spotted a planet which I think is most probably either Saturn or Venus. Then I spotted a few stars after the clouds floated away. I went in around 6.40 am and looked on the internet for a picture of the eclipse at the peak when the moon turns reddish-orange.

Anyway there is going to be another total lunar eclipse this year on the 10th day of December and I really hope that I can see the moon when it turns reddish-orange. The last time that I saw the moon when it turns reddish-orange was when I was still a little girl.

Total Lunar Eclipse Coming!

On the 16th June, 2011, there will be a total lunar eclipse from 1:25 am. until 7:01 am. The National Space Agency (ANGKASA) and the National mosque will be organizing a Total Lunar Eclipse Observation Program at the Main Entrance of the National Mosque from 1.00 am. until 7.00 am. All are invited to observe the phenomena through a few telescopes that will be setup during the event! You can also bring your own telescope in this program.

Here is the program’s agenda:

1:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m:    Total Lunar Eclipse Observation

                                           Jupiter, Mars and Venus Observation

                                           Eclipse Talk

                                           Quiz    

3:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m:    Solat Sunat Gerhana Berjemaah          

7:00 a.m:                          Dismiss

Lunar Eclipse on a Cloudy Night

Last night, there was a partial lunar eclipse so my father, little brother and sister, my sister and I went out to search for the moon. We were all so excited but unfortunately, the sky was so cloudy. So, we cannot see the moon. The sky was just dark and not even a single star was spotted by us. We knew where the moon is as we look at the west side of the sky and we can see the light of the sun reflected by the moon behind the clouds. So we went sadly back in the house. A lunar eclipse happens when the earth blocks the light from the sun fro going to the earth. For more information on last night’s lunar eclipse… click here.