TEMPO.CO, Waisai - The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan) head Thomas Djamaluddin calls on the public to be aware of high tides during the total lunar eclipse. He said the wind from south-southeast is still quite fierce at around 30 kilometers per hour.
“[Strong wind] causes 3-meter high waves in the south coast of Java Island, Bali, and West Nusa Tenggara, as well as the west coast of Sumatra island,” said Thomas in a phone interview, Friday, July 27.
Thomas said the recent high tide would be stronger due to full moon and lunar eclipse. “The combined effect of high tides may cause flash flood further in the land,” he explained.
The total lunar eclipse in line with the full moon or micro-blood moon would take place on early Saturday, July 28 in the western part of the sky. “The eclipse phase will start at 01:24 until 05:19,” he added.
Read: Aquarid Meteor Shower Total Lunar Eclipse Coming on July 28
The total phase will last for 107 minutes from 02:30 to 04:13, “[This will be] the longest [lunar eclipse] in this century,” he said.
Thomas further said that Mars would be visible during the total lunar eclipse. “When the moonlight starts to dim and the moon looks red, look at the bright red star on the left side; that’s Mars in its full moon also and looks bright.”
Other than the full moon and the visibility of Mars, there would be the Aquarid meteor shower from the constellation Aquarius. "On top of the eclipse, there will be a meteor shower, a total of 20 meteors per hour," said Thomas.
The longest total lunar eclipse on July 28, 2018, is a special phenomenon since it would last for 103 minutes and that is fully visible throughout Indonesian regions. The next lunar eclipse would occur in 2123 for 106 minutes but it could not be seen from Indonesia.
IRSYAN HASYIM
