Moon to eclipse Venus on Friday: Astronomical museum

Taipei, May 25 (CNA) Astronomy buffs will have a chance to see the moon eclipse Venus on Friday, albeit in less-than-stellar viewing conditions, as the event will take place during the day and possibly in the rain, according to the Taipei Astronomical Museum.

The phenomenon, known as a lunar occultation, will be visible in Taiwan from noon to 1:03 p.m., and can also be observed in Hong Kong and parts of Southeast Asia, the museum said.

The last time a lunar occultation of Venus could be seen in Taiwan was 2003, and the next time will not be until 2036, the museum said.

Because the eclipse will occur during daytime hours, it will not be visible with the naked eye.

People with star tracking equatorial mounts, however, can train their telescopes on Venus before dawn and track the planet until the occultation occurs, the museum said.

Weather permitting, a narrated livestream of the event viewed through a professional-grade telescope will be broadcast on YouTube beginning at 11:40 a.m., it said.