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Partial Lunar eclipse occurred for 3 hours in eastern hemisphere
By Surekha A Yadav | Posted: 26 June 2010 2256 hrs
SINGAPORE: There was a partial lunar eclipse on Saturday evening. Lasting some three hours,
over half the moon was covered by the Earth's shadow. This is the only lunar eclipse visible
in the eastern hemisphere this year and its maximum coverage happened at about 7.30pm.
Over 3,000 people gathered at the Singapore Science Centre's Observatory to catch
the natural spectacle. Telescopes were available for the public and astronomy buffs.
And with snacks, talks and buskers, the moon-gazing took on a celebratory atmosphere.
One visitor said: "It is an opportunity that comes once a year and even though we're not
science buffs we're very interested in this phenomena."
"I like all these natural things so I just brought my child to expose him to these
kind of things," said one parent.
A lunar eclipse occurs at the Full Moon phase of the lunar cycle.
Kalaimani Retnasamy, honorary secretary, The Astronomical Society of Singapore, said:
"The moon goes around the Earth and when it goes behind the earth there should,
theoretically, be a lunar eclipse but - no - the moon is going around the earth on a
slightly tilted orbit - so this is not a monthly occurrence but once or twice or thrice a year."
The society noted there's been an increasing interest amongst Singaporeans in astronomy. - CNA/vm
By Surekha A Yadav | Posted: 26 June 2010 2256 hrs
SINGAPORE: There was a partial lunar eclipse on Saturday evening. Lasting some three hours,
over half the moon was covered by the Earth's shadow. This is the only lunar eclipse visible
in the eastern hemisphere this year and its maximum coverage happened at about 7.30pm.
Over 3,000 people gathered at the Singapore Science Centre's Observatory to catch
the natural spectacle. Telescopes were available for the public and astronomy buffs.
And with snacks, talks and buskers, the moon-gazing took on a celebratory atmosphere.
One visitor said: "It is an opportunity that comes once a year and even though we're not
science buffs we're very interested in this phenomena."
"I like all these natural things so I just brought my child to expose him to these
kind of things," said one parent.
A lunar eclipse occurs at the Full Moon phase of the lunar cycle.
Kalaimani Retnasamy, honorary secretary, The Astronomical Society of Singapore, said:
"The moon goes around the Earth and when it goes behind the earth there should,
theoretically, be a lunar eclipse but - no - the moon is going around the earth on a
slightly tilted orbit - so this is not a monthly occurrence but once or twice or thrice a year."
The society noted there's been an increasing interest amongst Singaporeans in astronomy. - CNA/vm
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