Partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 7 visible in PH

Don't miss this year's partial lunar eclipse, or the passing of the moon directly behind the earth, which is happening on the night of August 7 up to the wee hours of August 8.

Dario dela Cruz, chief of the Space Sciences and Astronomy Section of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the partial lunar eclipse on Monday will be the only eclipse visible to the Philippines this year.

He said the light shadow or penumbra will appear yellowish at around 11:50 p.m., August 7. The moon will begin to "blacken" due to the earth's shadow around 1:22 a.m., August 8. About 25 percent of the moon will blacken around 2:20 a.m. until 3:18 a.m., and only a light shadow will be visible around 4:51 a.m.

Weather permitting, the eclipse will be best observed from any part of the country, Dela Cruz said.

It will also be visible in western Pacific Ocean, Oceania, Australasia, Asia, Africa, Europe, and eastern most tip of South America.

In Manila, the moon will rise at 6:03 p.m. on August 7 and will set at 5 a.m. on August 8.

Safe to watch Lunar eclipses are safe to watch, hence, observers need not use any kind of protective filters for the eyes.

However, a pair of binoculars will help magnify the view and will make the red coloration of the moon brighter.

Total eclipse on Aug. 21-22

Meanwhile, a total eclipse of the sun will occur on August 21-22 but will not be visible in the Philippines. It will only be visible in Hawaii, the Americas except southern parts of South America, Westernmost Europe, and West Africa.

Meteor shower This month, PAGASA said, is one of the most popular time of the year to observe meteor showers.

If the sky permits, the famous Perseids meteor shower will be observed with its peak in the late evening and early morning hours on August 12-13. At least 50 or more meteors will be observed during peak time.

Meteors are easiest to observe if there is no moonlight and light pollution and a clear sky condition exists.

Meteors in a shower appear to come from one area of the sky. The Perseids meteor shower radiates out from the constellation Perseus which is located in the eastern horizon this month.