Lunar eclipse to take place Saturday night for first time in 11 years

A total eclipse of the moon is to take place on Saturday.

The lunar eclipse is expected to start at 8:31 p.m. and the moon will be totally blotted out into the shadow of the Earth from 11:05 p.m. to 11: 58 p.m., according to the Korea Astronomy & Space Science Institute (KASI) reported.

A total eclipse of the moon is a phenomenon which occurs once or twice a year when the sun, earth and the moon are in strict alignment. However, it has been over 11 years since the entire process of the eclipse has been visible in Korea since July 2000. The next full eclipse will be seen in 2018.

The lunar eclipse begins with a penumbral one when the moon starts to enter the dim shadow of the earth at 8:31 p.m. Then, the partial lunar eclipse will occur when dark shadows cover the moon as it passes behind the Earth so that the Earth blocks the sun’s light from 9:45 p.m. The moon will completely disappear for 53 minutes from 11:05 p.m., meaning a total eclipse of the moon.

The moon will be gradually visible from 11:58 p.m. and the partial eclipse will end at 1:18 a.m. the next day. When dim shadow disappears, it will become a full bright moon as usual at 2:32 a.m.

The institute said that the moon will rise at 4:17 p.m. on that day. If the weather is fine, the entire process of the lunar eclipse can be observed with naked eyes. However, the Korea meteorological Administration forecast that the natural phenomenon will not be observed in Jeolla Provinces and on Jeju Island as it will rain or snow there.