Taiwan to miss March eclipse, but 'blood moon' visible in September: Museum

Taipei, March 8 (CNA) Taiwan will miss out on a total lunar eclipse on March 14, but skywatchers can look forward to a rare "blood moon" on Sept. 8, when a second total lunar eclipse of the year will be fully visible across the island, the Taipei Astronomical Museum said Saturday.

According to the museum, the March eclipse will be visible only in the Americas and parts of the Pacific. In contrast, the September eclipse will be visible in its entirety in Taiwan, from the penumbral phase to totality and back.

The event will take place from 11:28 p.m. on Sept. 7 to 4:55 a.m. on Sept. 8, with totality occurring from 1:31 a.m. to 2:53 a.m., when the moon will appear a deep red hue, the museum said.

This phenomenon, commonly called a "blood moon," occurs when the Earth completely blocks direct sunlight from reaching the moon. However, some light still passes through Earth's atmosphere and scatters, casting a reddish glow on the lunar surface.

This will be the first total lunar eclipse visible in Taiwan in seven years, making it a must-see event for astronomy enthusiasts, the museum said.