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Bangkok (The Nation-Thailand/ANN) - A perfect lunar eclipse can
be viewed from Thailand on June 16 for 3.39 hours - the longest in
the past four years.
The spectacle will begin at 1:22am, reach full stage at 2:22am
and end at about 4am, Saran Posayajinda, a senior government
astronomer, said.
This appearance is unique with the moon in red, together with
the Milky Way visible throughout the period and beyond.
The moon will also pass in front of a star called 51 Ophiuchi,
which from the Earth will look like it is travelling behind the
moon in glowing red.
"This is a rare phenomenon indeed," he said, without mentioning
whether it would occur only once and for all, or could be repeated
in the years to come.
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand invites
the public to witness the event at observation sites in Chiang Mai,
Chachoengsao and Songkhla, said Saran, a deputy NARIT director.
"In case there are clouds or rain that can obstruct a glimpse of
the eclipse - which is not possible at all three locations - it
will be recorded through telescopes," he added.