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PAGASA: Lunar eclipse on Oct. 8; meteor shower later this month


Sky watchers may want to mark October 8, Wednesday, on their calendars as that will be the date of a total lunar eclipse that will be visible in the Philippines.

PAGASA's astronomical diary said the eclipse will be seen from Asia, the Americas and Australasia, starting at 4:14 p.m. Philippine time and ending at about 9:35 p.m.

"In Manila, the Moon will rise at 5:34 p.m. on 8 October and will set at 6:16 a.m. on 9 October," it said.

The total eclipse is to start at 6:25 p.m., while the greatest eclipse is estimated at 6:54 p.m. The total eclipse ends 7:24 p.m.

PAGASA did not prescribe special protective gear for the eyes.

"Lunar eclipses are safe to watch and observers need not use any kind of protective filters for the eyes. A pair of binocular(s) will help magnify the view and will make the red coloration of the Moon brighter," it said.

Meteor shower

October will also bring the Orionids meteor shower, which will be active from October 17 to 25.

"At maximum rates, the shower may reach 15 meteors per hour that may be observed at favorable sky condition, but sometimes there are lulls even during the traditional maximum peak nights of October 21-22, 2014," it said.

Northern fall

The arrival of the northern fall is shown by the Square of Pegasus in the Philippine night sky after sunset.

Northeast of it lies the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the closest large spiral galaxy to the Milky Way.

The Cassiopeia constellation is to the left, while Pisces can be found at the lower right of the square of Pegasus.

Meanwhile, the equilateral triangle in the sky, known as the Winter Triangle, rises after midnight.

On the first week of October, Mercury will be located at about 4 degrees above the west southwest horizon 30 minutes after sunset, but it disappears into view a few days later.

On the second week of October, Jupiter will cross into the Leo constellation, shining brightly at magnitude -1.56.

Saturn shines bright enough for observers to see in the deepening twilight in the background stars of Libra.

Uranus will be at opposition to the Sun and will be glowing at magnitude +6.05. It will be found among the background stars of Pisces.  — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

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