Partial lunar eclipse seen in RP June 26

MANILA, Philippines - A partial lunar eclipse will be visible in some parts of the country later this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said yesterday.

Pagasa administrator Prisco Nilo said the partial eclipse will occur on June 26, with 54.2 percent eclipse magnitude. 

Nilo said the eclipse begins when the moon enters the penumbra at 4:55 p.m. and ends at 10:21 p.m.

Penumbra is derived from Latin words paenes, which means almost or nearly, and umbra, which means shadow. 

In Manila, Nilo said the moon will rise at 6:28 p.m. on June 26 and will set at 5:04 a.m. the following day.

The eclipse will also be visible in some parts of America, Pacific Ocean, Antarctica, eastern Asia, and Australasia. 

Nilo said lunar eclipses are safe to watch and observers need not use any kind of protective filters on the eyes. 

“A pair of binoculars will help magnify the view and will make the red coloration of the moon brighter,” he said. 

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes behind the earth such that the earth blocks the sun’s rays from striking the moon.

A partial lunar eclipse, on the other hand, occurs when only a portion of the moon enters the umbra (the darkest part of a shadow). 

Meanwhile, Pagasa said the annual June Bootid meteor shower will also be visible this month. 

“Normally, the shower is active from June 26 to July 2. Although the shower peaks on the 27th of June, little or no activity will be expected this year, with the full moon on June 26,” it said.