THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
May 27, 2021 at 13:32 JST
The moon when the eclipse is at its peak, seen from Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, at 8:18 p.m. on May 26 (Shigetaka Kodama)
Although thick clouds ruined the show in Tokyo, observers in northern Japan and elsewhere were treated to a rare total lunar eclipse that coincided with a supermoon on May 26.
The eclipse started soon after the biggest full moon of the year rose. It gleamed a coppery color for about 20 minutes from shortly after 8 p.m.
A total lunar eclipse was visible for the first time in about three years in Japan, according to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ).
Moon watchers in Japan can also see a “near-total” lunar eclipse with 98 percent of the disk covered by the Earth’s shadow in November.
The next opportunity to see a total eclipse of the moon in the country will be in November 2022, the NAOJ said.
VOX POPULI: Fingers crossed for clear skies on night of May 26 for blood moon
May 25, 2021
JAXA may drop science degree from astronaut requirements
April 12, 2021
Astronaut seeks youth to lead Japan’s manned lunar missions
November 6, 2020
Harvest moon rings in autumn, offering stunning views nationwide
October 2, 2020
80-billion-yen budget request in the works for lunar probe
September 24, 2020
Like a full moon: 2nd fireball since July 2 dazzles Japan’s skies
August 22, 2020
Stories about memories of cherry blossoms solicited from readers
Cooking experts, chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life.
A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry
A series on the death of a Japanese woman that sparked a debate about criminal justice policy in the United States
A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II
Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors.
