Is the weather in Vietnam favorable to watch the total lunar eclipse tonight?

nguyệt thực - Ảnh 1. — "Blood moon" observed and photographed at the coastal area of Xuong Dien (formerly Nam Dinh province) in 2022 - Photo: NAM TRAN

According to the Hanoi Astronomical Association, the lunar eclipse will begin at 10:28 p.m. tonight, September 7, and last until 3:55 a.m. on September 8, with the total lunar eclipse starting from 0:30 a.m. to 1:52 a.m. on September 8.

Specifically, the time of the lunar eclipse in Vietnam:

- 22:28 September 7: Penumbral lunar eclipse begins.

- 23:27 September 7: Partial lunar eclipse begins.

- 0:30 September 8: Total lunar eclipse begins.

- 1:11 a.m. September 8: Maximum lunar eclipse.

- 1:52 a.m. September 8: End of total lunar eclipse.

- 2:56 a.m. September 8: Partial lunar eclipse ends.

- 3:55 a.m. September 8: End of penumbral lunar eclipse.

The Vietnam Astronomy and Cosmology Association (VACA) said the lunar eclipse can be observed across many regions in Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Vietnam is in the region where it can be fully observed.

The lunar eclipse phenomenon can be seen directly with the naked eye, so people do not need specialized tools such as telescopes or binoculars to observe this phenomenon.

However, to observe the lunar eclipse, the weather factor is very important. If it is raining, stormy or cloudy, people cannot observe. Therefore, to be able to observe the complete lunar eclipse, a sky with few clouds and the Moon is needed.

Second, people need to choose an observation location with as wide an angle as possible, avoiding artificial light such as street lights and building lights shining directly into their eyes from above.

nguyệt thực - Ảnh 2. — The moon at 7pm tonight was taken in Hung Yen province - Photo: NAM TRAN

Regarding tonight's weather, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said that in the South, the South Central Highlands (Central Highlands) region will have rain in many places.

The Central Coast and Northern provinces only have local thunderstorms in a few places, the weather is basically cloudless and rainless.

In Hanoi, there is no rain forecast tonight, the sky is clear. In Ho Chi Minh City, there will be moderate rain, heavy rain and thunderstorms tonight.

Thus, the coastal areas of the Central and Northern regions, including the capital Hanoi, can easily view the "blood moon". Meanwhile, the Southern provinces, including Ho Chi Minh City, may have difficulty observing it.

'Sea' of clouds is covering the South

According to the Southern Hydrometeorological Station, currently a large area from the Central region to the South is cloudy. In the next 2-3 hours, the clouds will remain and it will be difficult to see the moon.

After 10pm tonight, if the clouds decrease, they will only decrease somewhat, low-level clouds will still cover the sky.