Three lunar events on Wednesday night
People from Cebu can enjoy sky gazing Wednesday evening, as three astronomical phenomena are expected to take place on the same night, a local official of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) revealed.
PAGASA-Cebu officerin-charge Alfredo Quiblat, Jr. said there would a Super Moon or Perigee Moon; Blue Moon; and total lunar eclipse. These events happen on the same night for the first time in over 150 years.
Quiblat said a Super Moon occurs when the moon reaches perigee or its closest point as it orbits the Earth.
Because the moon is at closest distance to the Earth, he said the moon will look 40 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the normal full moon.
Quiblat said that on Wednesday, people may also witness a total lunar eclipse that also happens to be a Blue Moon or the second full moon in a month. The first one happened on January 2.
This name, however, has nothing to do with its actual color when seen at night, said Quiblat.
A total lunar eclipse, on the other hand, occurs when the Earth comes between the sun and the full moon.
Quiblat said the moon is predicted to be completely covered by the shadow of the Earth at 9:29 p.m.
He explained that this event is also named a Blood Moon because the eclipsed moon may look red as the Earth blocks the sun's direct rays from lighting up the moon.
He said the total lunar rclipse is expected to be visible in the Philippines including Cebu province.
Observers do not need to use any kind of protective filters for the eyes since lunar eclipses are safe to watch. A telescope may help magnify the view and make the reddish color of the moon brighter.
Quiblat said if recent weather predictions are to be based, there may be good weather on this night over Metro Cebu and so this can be observed even with the naked eyes.
The public are still advised to monitor the latest PAGASA advisories as significant changes in the weather pattern may occur.