Places to see the lunar eclipse on April 4

Experts recommend people choose locations with a good east direction, far from lights and without obstructing the view to observe the lunar eclipse tomorrow night.

Last year's total lunar eclipse in the US. Photo: The Virtual Telescope Project

From 5 p.m. tomorrow, those interested in the lunar eclipse in Hanoi can go to the Clock Tower of My Dinh National Stadium to observe the biggest and only astronomical event of 2015, according to Mr. Hoang Quoc Phuong, Chairman of the Hanoi Amateur Astronomy Association.

According to Mr. Phuong, those who do not have the conditions to go to My Dinh Stadium can find a place with a good east direction, spacious and airy to observe. The estimated number of people gathered at My Dinh Stadium this year is about 1,000 people, higher than the number of several hundred people who came to watch last year.

Mr. Phuong assessed that this year’s lunar eclipse event attracted many students from high school and below, because they have more access to science. The adults who are interested are mainly due to personal passion.

In addition to providing equipment, the Hanoi Amateur Astronomy Association also answered many questions from participants observing the event.

In Da Nang, people interested in the lunar eclipse can go to East Sea Park (Pham Van Dong beach) from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., according to Mr. Thai Van Loi, Head of the Da Nang Astronomy Club.

Viewers should choose locations facing east toward the sea, with 7 p.m. expected to be the peak eclipse time. There are currently about 200 people registered to join the Club in Da Nang, a significant increase from last year, about 30 people.

Mr. Loi said that the increase in the number of people is due to wider communication. The main target audience is pupils and students, of which students make up the majority.

In Ho Chi Minh City, interested people can go to Tan Quy Dong Residential Area, District 7 to observe the lunar eclipse tomorrow night, said Mr. Dang Tuan Duy, Ho Chi Minh City Amateur Astronomy Association.

In addition, Nha Rong Wharf and Metro District 2 are also good places to observe the lunar eclipse. The observation place should be away from lights and a bit dark. The Astronomical Association is expected to answer many questions from science enthusiasts such as whether lunar eclipses occur often, why they are red, what is the blood moon phenomenon. Last year's event in Ho Chi Minh City had about 100 participants, however the Club has not yet counted the estimated number this year.

From 4:01 pm Hanoi time tomorrow, the Moon will enter the penumbra. The partial phase begins at 5:15 pm, the total phase begins at 6:57 pm and reaches its maximum at 7:00 pm. In 2014, astronomy enthusiasts in Vietnam observed a similar phenomenon on October 8. The next partial lunar eclipse in Vietnam will take place on August 8, 2017. The total lunar eclipse will appear a year later, on January 31, 2018.

According to VnExpress