A rare celestial event occurred in the skies above Hong Kong on Tuesday evening, when a total lunar eclipse coincided with the moon passing in front of Uranus and obscuring the planet. However, Hongkongers who lined the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui were unable to see the occurrence because of thick cloud.
Despite the stubborn cloud cover, dedicated photographers and astronomy enthusiasts positioned along the promenade hoped for a silver lining.
The moon was supposed to have turned “an uncommon coppery-red hue,” according to the Hong Kong Space Museum, which live streamed the event.
Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth comes between the sun and the full moon, blocking the sun’s rays from reaching the moon. It is sometimes called a “blood moon” because the moon appears red as it is illuminated by light from Earth’s sunrises and sunsets.
Derek Chan and Kenny Wong told HKFP they had taken annual leave to try and see the total lunar eclipse.
“It’s alright if we don’t see the blood moon tonight. We can wait for the next one,” Wong said. “I heard it won’t be until 2,000 year time, though,” Chan added.
The next time a total lunar eclipse will be visible from Hong Kong will be on September 8, 2025. However, a total lunar eclipse will not occur with a lunar occultation of Uranus in the skies above Hong Kong until 4862.
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