Penumbral Lunar Eclipse visible in Vietnam tonight

People in Vietnam will be able to see the first full lunar eclipse of the year from 10:14 pm on the night of May 5 until 2:31 am the next morning. The eclipse is expected to peak at around 0:22 am on the morning of May 6. Other regions that can see the eclipse include Asia, eastern and central Africa, Australia, and neighboring countries.

During the eclipse, skywatchers will see the moon darken but not disappear completely, according to Dang Vu Tuan Son, chairman of the Vietnam Astronomy and Cosmology Association (VACA).

Vietnamese people can admire this interesting astronomical phenomenon for more than four hours. There are 57% of people on Earth will also get this luck.

This eclipse is not a "blood moon" as it will not turn red. Instead, the moon will dim slightly as it passes through the outer part of the Earth's shadow - called the penumbra.

The moon will darken but not completely disappear as it slips into Earth's outer shadow on Friday (May 5), creating a penumbral lunar eclipse. Photo: Space

Like all lunar eclipses, penumbral eclipses occur when the Earth passes between the Moon and the Sun in a straight line. This causes our planet's shadow to fall on the lunar surface as the Earth blocks the sun's light. This can lead to events that, unlike solar eclipses, can be subtle and difficult to observe.

Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is completely safe for the eyes and can be seen with the naked eye. Of course, a small telescope or binoculars will be more helpful. Finally, don't forget to check the weather ahead of time and ensure your safety if you're observing outdoors at midnight.

The last time people on Earth could view a penumbral lunar eclipse from North America was on November 30, 2020; the next special astronomical event will be on March 25, 2024. The next total lunar eclipse, known as a "blood moon," will occur on March 13-14, 2025.

An illustration of the lunar eclipse seen from Hanoi. Photo: Time and Date