Astronomical spectacle: Dominican Republic prepares for a partial lunar eclipse
Astronomy lovers in the Dominican Republic have an unmissable appointment this Thursday night. The country will witness a partial lunar eclipse, an event in which nearly 93% of the surface of our natural satellite will be tinged with a distinctive reddish hue, offering an impressive visual spectacle for those who manage to observe the sky.
According to the forecasts, the phenomenon will begin at 9:23 at night. However, experts suggest being patient, as the initial phase, known as penumbral, is usually subtle to the human eye.
The penumbral phase will not be very striking to the human eye, but it stands out because the intensity of the Sun’s rays on the lunar surface begins to decrease.
Jean Suriel, meteorological analyst
Eclipse schedule in Dominican territory
To enjoy this astronomical event to its fullest, it is important to closely follow the established schedules for our time zone:
- Penumbral start: 9:23 p.m.
- Partial phase start: 10:33 p.m.
- Maximum point of the eclipse: 12:12 a.m. (early Friday morning).
- Partial phase end: 1:51 a.m.
- Penumbral end: 3:01 a.m.
Unlike solar eclipses, which require strict protective measures, this lunar eclipse can be observed directly with the naked eye. Alofoke Deportes recommends looking for places with clear skies and away from city light pollution for a better experience.
Upcoming astronomical events on the calendar
The observation of celestial phenomena will continue to be a constant in the coming years. The astronomical calendar for the Dominican Republic already has important dates marked for future events:
- February 20, 2027: Penumbral lunar eclipse.
- August 17, 2027: Penumbral lunar eclipse.
- January 12, 2028: Partial lunar eclipse.
- January 26, 2028: Partial solar eclipse, with an estimated coverage of 31.1%.
The population is reminded that the success of the observation will depend largely on the weather conditions present during the night.
