Chinese people traditionally enjoy watching a full bright moon during the Lantern festival. And this year they will have another chance to see a partial Lunar eclipse that day.
This celestial phenomenon happens when the Moon passes through the Earth's penumbra, the outer portion of the Earth's shadow. Part of the sunlight on the Moon will be blocked and people can see that the bright moon has turned dark. This Lunar eclipse will last about four hours.
In late February, Chinese people will also be able to see another celestial phenomenon when Venus gets close to the Moon.
(CCTV February 5, 2009)
