How to watch and take picture-perfect shots of a lunar eclipse
A lunar eclipse is one of the astronomical events that are easiest to watch, all you need is a pair of eyes and clear skies to get a glimpse of the beautiful moon.
The earth will experience two total lunar eclipses in 2022—one has already passed last May and the next is coming on Nov. 8. According to the PAGASA, the upcoming astronomical phenomenon will be visible in the Philippines and it will be a treat to Pinoys who love astronomy.
A total lunar eclipse happens when the earth comes between the sun and the moon, with our planet's shadow covering the smaller heavenly body. Watchers will also see the moon turn red when the eclipse reaches totality.
The state weather bureau forecasts the eclipse to start at 5:19 p.m. and end at 9:58 p.m. on Tuesday.
"On 08 November in Manila, the eclipse will begin at 05:19 PM (moonrise), with the totality of the eclipse beginning at 06:16 PM. Greatest eclipse (maximum) or the peak stage of the eclipse at 06:59 PM. The Moon will remain in totality until 07:42 PM. It will then go into a partial eclipse until 08:49 PM and comes to an end at 09:58 PM," PAGASA said.
The eclipse will be visible to other countries in Asia, Australia, North America, parts of Northern and Eastern Europe, and most of South America.
How to watch
To catch the astronomical phenomenon, you simply need to go out, look up, and enjoy. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar one is safe to view with the naked eye, as it only reflects sunlight. The upcoming eclipse will last about four hours but the time when the moon is completely in the earth's shadow will last about 43 minutes.
For the best view, the National History museum suggests finding a place free of obstructions like tall buildings and trees. Somewhere like an open field or a park would do.
If you won't be able to go out, you can stream the eclipse through PAGASA's Facebook and YouTube pages.
Snapping photos
While the best gadget to capture photos of a lunar eclipse is a camera, you can do so simply with your smartphone. But remember that you might not be able to get sharp macro shots, as a phone's zoom is not as powerful as a camera's lenses.
However, to take beautiful, clear photos, you will need a tripod to keep your phone steady, as when you're zooming in, shots become shakier. For better details, adjust the exposure on your phone's camera. Just slide the brightness slider to reduce the amount of light coming into your device so the moon doesn't look like a blob of light.