These Astronomical Shows Will Take Your Travel Edge

Off It may be a while before we can travel the world. But we can always look up at the biggest spectacle of all. Here, astronomical wonders to look forward to this year

- Dr. Rogel Mari Sese

The enhanced community quarantine has gotten everyone holed up at home for four weeks (and counting!). With less light pollution and clearer skies, it’s a perfect time to see more stars and appreciate the night sky. Time to snuggle up with your special someone and chill underneath the stars (ala Mariah Carey)! For barkadas, this is the time to have a group video chat and virtually do your perpetually postponed stargazing trip!

But even after the lockdown, there are more celestial events for the rest of the year, so make sure you mark your calendars.

(Note: This list doesn’t include annual events like meteor showers or astronomical phenomena that aren’t visible from the Philippines.)

Penumbral Lunar Eclipses (June 5 and Nov. 30)

During a lunar eclipse, the moon hides behind the Earth’s shadow, causing a darkening and reddening of the Moon. The upcoming lunar eclipses are penumbral, which means it would only result to a partial darkening and wouldn’t turn into a bloody color. While these eclipses are barely noticeable and not really spectacular, a Full Moon is always an awesome sight to behold!

Partial Annular Solar Eclipse (June 21)