Longest eclipse to be visible

BANDUNG (JP): Indonesians will be lucky to have an opportunity to view the longest total lunar eclipse of the century on Sunday, an astronomer said.

Moedji Raharto, a staff member of the Boscha Observatory in Lembang, South Bandung, said on Friday the eclipse would last one hour, 47 minutes and one second, and could be seen by people around the archipelago.

Moedji, who also teaches astronomy at the Bandung Institute of Technology, said the upcoming eclipse was of the Saros Series 129 type.

"The first Saros Series 129 lunar eclipse occurred on June 28, 177, and lasted one hour, 47 minutes and seven seconds. The fourth happened 141 years ago on Aug. 13, 1859, for a record one hour, 47 minutes and four seconds. The fifth will be on Sunday," he said. "This means that the eclipse has happened five times within 3,000 years."

"This will be a rare scene. Don't miss it, or you will have to wait for the next 1,000 years to see the same natural phenomenon," Moedji said, adding that the eclipse would start at 5:46 p.m. on Sunday. "The total eclipse will take place at 8:02 p.m. and will end at 9:49 p.m."

People in the Philippines, China, India, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and islands in the Pacific will also be lucky to see the natural phenomenon, he said.

"Those living in the Middle East and on the African continent may be less fortunate than us, as they will see the moon when the eclipse is almost finished. Those living in America will see the moon disappearing when it is eclipsed," said Moedji.

He said the total lunar eclipse would occur when the moon moves from the Sagittarius belt, bordering with Capricorn.

"Therefore, it is suggested that those who want to watch the rare event choose a clear spot on the eastern horizon. Or find a spot located between 20 degrees and 30 degrees from the east to the south, or between 40 degrees and 60 degrees from where the sun rises to the south." (25/sur)