On July 27, a rare spectacle can be seen in the sky of the region
– 1 hour ago
NUREMBERG –
Germany is experiencing a lunar eclipse of the next century on Friday: the moon is completely submerged in the shadow of the Earth for 104 minutes. He then appears as a moon of blood. We have the facts about this natural event.
This Bloodmoon was shown in 2015 in Switzerland. On July 21, the moon will slide on Franconia in the shadow of the earth.
Photo: Thomas Schneider / epd
When there are no clouds, the impressive sky phenomenon is also visible in our region. This duration of lunar eclipse was exceeded only on June 9, 2123 – then by two minutes. In agreement with the occasion, we collected questions and answers about the celestial phenomenon for you.
How is the color game played?
When the moon is up in the starry sky, it usually looks white. It always appears white when it is directly illuminated by the sun and reflects all the spectral colors that make up the sunlight. In a lunar eclipse, it can also shine in orange or even in red. These colors are created when the earth slides partially or completely in the direct beam between the sun and the moon.
The sunlight that then falls on the moon must first penetrate the atmosphere of the Earth – depending on the advance of darkness. However, the longer the path of this solar light through the earth 's atmosphere, the shorter its blue, violet and green shortwave fractions are scattered in the smallest particles and molecules in the atmosphere. Blue, purple and green are virtually eliminated from white light.
"The light that falls on the moon near the Earth's shadow has come the longest way," says Weihenstephan meteorologist Hans Häckel. "During this long journey, all the colors except the particularly long dark red were lost." On the other hand, when the sunlight only briefly pbades through the upper and lower layers of the atmosphere, there remains more yellow and orange, which can illuminate the moon accordingly.
What happens during the day?
At night the moon stands visually particularly well from the dark sky. However, anyone who bothers and looks closer can also find out during the day – although daylight usually outperforms the light. The moon is as bright as possible in the daylight flooded with sunshine.
But even the moon, slower or slower, can be identified. If you explore the sky anyway, you can try to find stars. They can also be recognized during the day – though they are particularly greatly overshadowed by sunlight because of their size or distance from the earth.
Where do the rings come from? "Mondhof" is the name of the colorful crown of the rings of light to see the moon around. It is caused by the humidity of the atmosphere. The innermost of the halos (halo) is usually bluish to whitish and is surrounded by a yellowish, which in turn is edged with a reddish. This sequence can be repeated several times. "Wreaths are created by diffracting light from water drops or ice crystals in clouds," says Weihenstephan's meteorologist Hans Häckel. "The redirection of light rays leads to overlays, that is to say interferences, which then produce colored rings."
Why are sparks missing?
The stars shine because their light must penetrate into the Earth's atmosphere, "said John Graham, astronomer of the Carnegie Institute of Washington. This atmosphere is full of air currents and turbulence. They look like small lenses and prisms that light the stars a few times a second. "Since so many stars are so tiny in the sky, it seems like a spark or a flash." The moon comes from the earth but considered too big for this minimal gap to be visually perceptible, the differences are the same here.
Best with binoculars!
Next Friday, the moon will rise shortly after 9pm on the Eastern Horizon. The sun begins in the western horizon with its sinking, so that the sky will still be bright at the beginning of the lunar eclipse, how much the moon has already touched the Earth's shadow, and around 10 pm he is completely in this shadow. dark enough to see the moon of blood, but the good view depends on the weather, and the total lunar eclipse phase will last in our region from 9:29 pm to 11:23 pm. Tronomic phenomenon can be seen with the naked eye. However, it is even more impressive with a pair of binoculars.
The moon only slowly climbs from the altitude after its ascent. For city dwellers, this means: If you live in a densely built area, you must first look for an appropriate viewing spot or drive into an eastern suburb to leave behind the disturbing light of the city. Those living in the countryside in a Mittelgebirgstal should also worry about a post of superior observation. The Nuremberg Regiomontanus Observatory on the Rechenberg uses this special date – where Mars is also exceptionally good – to celebrate its summer festival. The entrance is free. And the basic information of the experts is available for free.
