Hong Kong set to witness ‘blood moon’ during total lunar eclipse in September

Hongkongers could have the chance to witness a “blood moon” as part of a total lunar eclipse if the weather is favourable next month, the local forecaster has said.

The Hong Kong Observatory said on Friday that the eclipse would start at 11.26pm on September 7 when the moon enters the “penumbra”, or partial shadow.

The total eclipse would only start at 1.30am the next day, when the moon was completely engulfed in the “umbra”, or total shadow, it added.

The forecaster said the maximum eclipse would occur at 2.12am, with the total eclipse to last for one hour and 23 minutes before the moon started to exit the umbra at 2.53am.

“During the period, the moon will not completely disappear from sight, but will appear dull red,” the Observatory said.

“This is the result of the blue light component of the sunlight being scattered by the Earth’s atmosphere and the remaining red light being refracted onto the lunar surface.