The Rambling Gypsy Girl

Friday, December 02, 2011

Total lunar eclipse in Hong Kong on December 10

Total lunar eclipse in Hong Kong on December 10
(24 November 2011)

A total lunar eclipse will occur at night on December 10 (Saturday) and will be visible in Hong Kong if the weather is fine.

Scientific Officer of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Woo Wang-chun, said, "The duration of the whole process (from the moon entering the penumbra to leaving the penumbra) will last six hours, the longest period of lunar eclipse visible in Hong Kong since the year 2000. As the elevation of the moon will be rather high during the eclipse, most places with an unobstructed view to the east are suitable for viewing the event. If the weather is fine, the condition will be very favourable for viewing the eclipse."

"The moon will not completely disappear but will appear coppery-red in colour during totality. This is because sunlight scattered or refracted by the Earth's atmosphere will be projected onto the moon," said Mr Woo.

A webcast of the event, covering the time the moon enters the umbra until it leaves, will be jointly provided by the Hong Kong Observatory and the Hong Kong Space Museum on the following web page from: www.weather.gov.hk/gts/hksm/astrophoto.htm (Please refer to figure 1 of attachment for relevant QR code).

Additionally, the Hong Kong Space Museum will organise an observation activity titled the "Night of Total Lunar Eclipse", in the central section of the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui from 7.30pm to 11.30pm.

"The public will have the opportunity to observe the total lunar eclipse with telescopes and various kinds of astronomical instruments under the guidance of Space Museum staff. The activity is provided free of charge and no registration is required," said the Curator of the Space Museum, Mr Chan Ki-hung.

Please refer to attached diagram for details of the moon's path during the eclipse. An animation of the lunar eclipse is also available on the Hong Kong Space Museum's YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/hkspacem/) (Please refer to figure 2 of attachment for relevant QR code).

Details of the lunar eclipse are as follows:

	Hong Kong Time	Direction (Azimuth)	Elevation
Moon enters penumbra	7.32pm	East-northeast (75 degrees)	26 degrees
Moon enters umbra	8.45pm	East (79 degrees)	42 degrees
Total eclipse begins	10.06pm	East (83 degrees)	60 degrees
Middle of eclipse	10.32pm	East (84 degrees)	66 degrees
Total eclipse ends	10.58pm	East (85 degrees)	72 degrees
Moon leaves umbra	0.18am (next morning)	Northeast (52 degrees)	90 degrees
Moon leaves penumbra	1.32am (next morning)	West (274 degrees)	74 degrees

Please refer to the Hong Kong Observatory website for an explanation of the cause and different stages of a lunar eclipse:
www.weather.gov.hk/gts/astron2011/lunar_eclipse_e.htm (Please refer to figure 3 of attachment for relevant QR code).

The next lunar eclipse potentially observable in Hong Kong will occur on June 4, 2012, which will be a partial eclipse. Also in 2012, an annular solar eclipse will be potentially observable in Hong Kong on May 21, and a transit of Venus on June 6. Both are rare astronomical phenomena.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

More upcoming Christmas Bazaars

The Repulse Bay Christmas Fair

Sunday, 27 November 2011

11:00 am to 6:00 pm

Free Admission

Come and join our fair with more than 50 stalls

Christmas items / children’s books / toys / gift items / cards

paintings / handicrafts / jewellery / home accessories

and much more…

Live bands, children’s activities, bouncy play area

_______________________________________________________________________________

Glenealy School International Bazaar

If your weekends are already filled up, this is a great evening option featuring plenty of stalls selling all sorts of items, games and international food to munch on whilst you mingle with other families.

Where: Glenealy School, 7 Hornsey Road, Mid-Levels, Central

When: 18 November, 5.30-8pm

http://sassymamahk.com/christmas-fairs-list-sassy-mama/

_____________________________________________________________________________

Hong Kong Winterfest
Hong Kong Tourist Board’s official event will see a fabulous festive fiesta taking over the entire city! Statue Square in Central will set the scene with a twinkling Tiffany’s decorated Christmas tree, carol-singing and a carousel whilst HK’s first ever outdoor ice-skating rink will appear in East Tsim Sha Tsui so you can glide under the stars and soak up the festive atmosphere. There’ll also be carnivals, sparkling Christmas illuminations, seasonal menus, special offers in shops and restaurants and much much more!

Where: Everywhere!
When: 25 November-1 January
More info: www.discoverhongkong.com/winterfest

___________________________________________________________________________

JWA Bazaar
The Jewish Women’s Association bazaar will be selling an assortment of branded clothing, bags, accessories, toys, homeware and other Christmas items – with all proceeds going to charity. There’ll also be food, activities and much more fun for all the family; just remember to bring your ID card.

Where: Island School, 20 Borett Road, Mid-Levels
When: 27 November, 10am-5pm
How much: $20 (children are free)
More info: www.jwa.org.hk

_______________________________________________________________________________

Hullett House Christmas Market
Hullett House’s historical courtyard and garden will be transformed into a quintessential European Christmas Market, with a mouth-watering array of specially-selected sausages, smoked meats, cheese, teas, gingerbread, Christmas cakes, chocolate, jams, preserves – and even a sneaky tipple of mulled wine and eggnog too! There’ll also be Christmas cards, ornaments, books and other seasonal gifts, with carol-singing and a special appearance from Santa and his reindeers – so there’s absolutely no excuse for not getting into the festive spirit!

Where: Hullett House, 1881 Heritage, No. 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
When: 9-11 December
More info: 3988 0000, www.hulletthouse.com

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Upcoming events for November & December 2011

UNICEF Charity Run 2011

http://run.unicef.org.hk/en_event_details1.php

UNICEF Charity Run 2011 will be held at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Sunny Bay on 27 November (Sunday). This year the race will continue to raise funds for UNICEF’s “Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS” Global Campaign.

The aim is to have 13,000 runners and raise HK$8.5 million for the purchase of “HIV Test Kits” for pregnant women. If HIV-positive mothers-to-be know about their situations at an early stage, they can promptly receive essential medication and care so as to prevent the transmission of the virus to their babies.

Jointly organized by Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF and Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association, UNICEF Charity Run 2011 includes Half Marathon, 10km Run and 3km Fun Run. The course of Half Marathon and 10km Run are sanctioned by AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races). The Half Marathon and 3km Family Run are already FULL. Open are the 10km Run and the 3km Individual Run for teenagers aged 11-15. Enroll now to secure your place before the remaining quotas run out! Visit their website

Date: 27 November

Time: Various, depending on the run that you choose

Location: Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Sunny Bay

________________________________________________________________________________

Picnic In The Park

Discovery Bay

Grab your picnic blanket, don your dancing shoes and head over to Discovery Bay for the 6th annual Picnic in the Park – Hong Kong’s largest music and dance festival. Organizers have added a second stage this year, which means double the entertainment from some of HK’s most popular bands, including Helium 3 and The Vibes.

The family-friendly festival will feature an awesome Kids’ Zone with pedal cars, bouncy castles, face-painters and more. Plus, food and beverages courtesy of restaurants Hemingway’s, ZAKS and McSorleys means you won’t go hungry or thirsty. (All vendors are cash-only.)

All proceeds are donated to the Hong Chi Association and Hong Kong Student Aid Society.

Catch the 25-minute ferry from Pier #3 in Central and head to DB for a day and night of fun

What: Kids’ Zone with pedal cars, bouncy castles, face-painters and more at the annual festival

When: Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 11am to 9:30pm

Where: Siena Park, Discovery Bay, Hong Kong, info@picnicintheparkhk.com, www.picnicintheparkhk.com________________________________________________________________________________

City Kids Christmas Fair

Fun for the Whole Family

Activities at the City Kids Christmas fair will include:

• a bouncy castle
• a visit and photos with Santa Claus
• face painting
• cupcake decorations
• craft making
• children’s games
• raffle prizes
• vendor stalls from some of Hong Kong's finest boutiques featuring clothing, toys & furniture, and other Christmas gift ideas for the whole family

City Kids (www.citykidshkppa.org) is a not-for-profit playgroup and preschool.

What: Parents can relax, chat, and shop while the children are entertained!

When: Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 12pm to 5pm.

Where: City Kids School, 12 Borrett Rd, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong, +852 6704 1313, www.citykidshkppa.org. Free admission