KOBE -- The Akashi Municipal Planetarium in Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, is planning to livestream a peculiar phenomenon known as the "Sunset Panda" on Monday.
The panda's eyes are formed as the sun begins to set behind two satellite dishes, which are each about four meters in diameter, while a group of smaller satellite dishes appear to form the animal's ears and nose.
This phenomenon only occurs for two days in spring and autumn around March 1 and Oct. 12 when the sun's path aligns with the dishes.
Clear weather is essential to properly view the "panda," so it has only ever been seen twice -- once in March 2013, when it was first seen, and again in March 2017.
The planetarium has held observation events for children every time it occurs since March 2014. However, this year will be the first time the event will be livestreamed on its official YouTube channel because of the coronavirus.
The director of the planetarium will give an explanation about the sunset panda after the livestream begins at 4:45 p.m., and the observation will begin just before sunset at 5:25 p.m.
However, it will be cloudy on Monday in Hyogo Prefecture, according to the Kobe Local Meteorological Office.
"All we can do is pray [to see the panda's face]," a local government official said.
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