Total Lunar Eclipse Visible in China

On the morning of January 10, 2001, the first Total Lunar Eclipse in the new century will be visible from many areas in China.

According to China News Service, the total phase or totality will last over an hour. The moon will pass through the umbral shadow at 2:40 a.m, when the sunlight reaching the Moon will be partially blocked by the earth. The real totality will start from 3:50 a.m.

An eclipse of the Moon can only take place at Full Moon, and only if the Moon passes through some portion of Earth's shadow. The shadow is actually composed of two cone-shaped parts, one nested inside the other. The outer or penumbral shadow is a zone where Earth blocks some (but not all) of the Sun's rays. In contrast, the inner or umbral shadow is a region where Earth blocks all direct sunlight from reaching the Moon.

By PD Online staff member Yin Zhili

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/