Visitors Get To Watch Saturn, Jupiter, Partial Lunar Eclipse At National Planetarium

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Visitors at the National Planetarium last night were lucky enough as they get the opportunity to witness the planets Saturn and Jupiter through observation activities organised by the agency.

There were eight telescopes provided for the visitors to watch the two planets more clearly.

However, due to the cloudy sky, the two planets could only be seen at 12.30 am today and by then the place was sparse as many, especially the early comers, had left.

The few remaining visitors were even patient enough to wait for another observation activity which was the partial lunar eclipse phenomenon that happened early today.

 Planetarium Science Officer Mohd Zamri Shah Mastor said the partial lunar eclipse phenomenon started from 3.35 am to 4.52 am.

The captivating phenomenon of a partial lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth, and the moon align, though not perfectly. As a result, only a portion of the darkest part of Earth's shadow will shroud the moon, creating a visually striking contrast.

"The observation of the partial lunar eclipse will take place from 2 am  to 6.26 am. However, it was only at 3.35 am that the effects of the eclipse appeared on the surface of the moon. About 12 percent of the moon's surface appears dark and it occurs at its maximum at 4.52 am," he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, Mohd Jamaluddin Ismail, 48, who was with his family, said they had been waiting for the moment to see the planets Saturn and Jupiter, as well as the partial lunar eclipse.

 "This is the second time we (family) are here. We are really interested in the galaxy and to be able to  witness the natural phenomena that happens is amazing," he said.

The uniqueness of the partial lunar eclipse, as well as the appearance of the planets Saturn and Jupiter have attracted hundreds of people to the National Planetarium.

-- BERNAMA