JAKARTA – In 2023 there will be at least four eclipses that will color the Earth’s sky. Whether it’s a solar or lunar eclipse. However, of the four eclipses, only three of them can be observed in the Indonesian sky.
The three eclipses are a hybrid solar eclipse on April 20, a penumbral lunar eclipse on May 5-6, and a partial lunar eclipse on October 29.
Meanwhile the ring solar eclipse which will take place on October 15 cannot be seen in the country, because Indonesia is not exposed to the antumbra or penumbra umbra of the Moon.
Also, the phase of the New Moon that occurs during the eclipse is when the Moon is still below the horizon for all parts of Indonesia.
Hybrid solar eclipse
Being a country passed by the Equator, the phenomenon of a solar eclipse is definitely not something foreign to the Indonesian people.
However, the year 2023 will be interesting because there will be a hybrid solar eclipse, which is a rare solar eclipse that is a combination of a total solar eclipse and an annular solar eclipse.
The hybrid name is given because this astronomical phenomenon features two eclipses in a sequential path. Where, when this hybrid eclipse takes place, there will be a total solar eclipse phase along with the following annular solar eclipse.
Unfortunately not all areas of Indonesia will experience this solar eclipse on April 20 starting at 11:47am WIT. But only parts of eastern Indonesia will experience this. Especially in the Maluku Islands, namely the Leti Islands, the Watubela Islands and the Damar Islands. Besides that, it will also pass through West Papua and Biak areas.
Penumbral lunar eclipse
In addition, there is an astronomical phenomenon in which a penumbral lunar eclipse occurs on May 5-6, 2023. In theory, a penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when all parts of the moon are in the penumbra.
Unlike a total lunar eclipse, during this eclipse the moon will still be relatively visible, although the colors will be more subdued or blurred. The process can also be witnessed relatively directly with the naked eye because it does not endanger eye health.
The penumbral lunar eclipse will start on May 5, 2023 at 22:14:08 WIB and the eclipse will end the following day at 02:31:40 WIB.
Below is the schedule of the penumbral lunar eclipse on May 5-6, 2023:
Penumbra Initial contact: 5 May at 22.14.08 WIB / 23.14.08 WITA / 00.14.08 WIT
Eclipse Peak: 6 May at 00.22.55 WIB / 01.22.55 WITA / 02.22.55 WIT
Final Penumbra Contact: 6 May at 02.31.40 WIB / 03.31.40 WITA / 04 31 40 WIT
Duration and magnitude: 4 hours 18 minutes with a penumbra amplitude of 0.9636 and -0.0457 umbra (minus sign indicates no lunar surface enters umbra)
The eclipse can be observed from southeast to southwest for the WIB zone. For the WITA zone, the eclipse can be observed from south to southwest. And for the WIT zone, the eclipse can be observed from southwest to west.
Partial lunar eclipse
The last astronomical eclipse phenomenon to occur in Indonesia in 2023 will be a partial lunar eclipse, also known as a partial lunar eclipse.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon are not exactly in a straight line. So that it makes the Earth’s shadow appear on the surface of the Moon as if it occupies part of the Moon’s surface.
As the name suggests, this partial lunar eclipse will only make a part of the moon partially covered by the Earth’s shadow, not completely like a total lunar eclipse. It’s also different from a penumbral lunar eclipse, where the closed portion will be completely dark and invisible, not just look dim or blurry.
The partial lunar eclipse in 2023 itself will be witnessed in all parts of Indonesia. Especially during the initial penumbra phase, partial onset and peak of the eclipse around 03.14 WIB.
However, in the partial final stage, it is certain that people in areas such as West Papua, Highlands Papua, Central Papua and South Papua will no longer be able to witness the trial.
Including the final stage of twilight which can only be witnessed by the public in Sumatra, Banten, Jakarta, parts of West Java and parts of West Kalimantan.
