This year’s third penumbral lunar eclipse will occur in Hong Kong on the afternoon of 30 November. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon only enters the penumbra of the Earth but not the umbra. During the event, the Moon will become slightly dimmer. A special feature of the coming lunar eclipse is that the eclipse will begin before moonrise.
The eclipse will begin at 3.30pm and end at 7.56pm, with the maximum eclipse occurring at 5.42pm, which will be four minutes after moonrise. The whole process (from moonrise to the moon leaving the penumbra) will last for two hours and 18 minutes.
As the elevation of the Moon will be rather low in the sky during the eclipse, it’s best observed from somewhere with an unobstructed view towards the east and northeast horizon.
The next lunar eclipse observable in Hong Kong will be a total lunar eclipse on May 26, 2021.
images: HK Observatory