The lunar eclipse of the century Friday: what you need to know

The Lunar Eclipse of the Century of Friday: What You Need to Know

Total Darkness: Friday is the day. The longest and probably most spectacular lunar eclipse of the century is on Saturday night. The highlight of the show will be between 22:21 and 23:13. For the unique opportunity to be unforgettable, we have summarized the most important thing.

Image: Colourbox

The total lunar eclipse of this year is the longest of this century. A longer one is only expected for the year 2123. It will take exactly one hour and 43 minutes.

After the historic event on Friday, they will take blankets and provisions and look for a secluded place to watch the show.

All conditions are correct

It could hardly be better – according to the Central Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) the time for the night from Friday to Saturday in Upper Austria is perfect for a lunar eclipse. The night is clear and the temperatures remain at 20-22 degrees. From time to time cloud clouds may appear, but they will not be dense enough to cover the lunar eclipse. The strongest cloud formation will be on the border with Lower Austria.

Günther Matello, president of the Linz Observatory of the Johannes Kepler University, also predicts good conditions. "The lunar eclipse will be visible from all over Upper Austria." He recommends looking for a place with an unobstructed view to the southeast. The lunar eclipse will also be better known in less crowded places, but also in the city of the show is visible.

Patience is Necessary

Those who want to experience the longest lunar eclipse of the century should take their time. Around half-past eight, the moon will rise Friday night in the southeast. The total eclipse, where the moon moves in the shadows of the earth, begins exactly at 9:30 pm. But do not lose patience if you do not see anything exciting at this point. It becomes really exciting at the time of maximum darkness at 22:21. Then the twilight is over and the moon stands out more strongly from the dark night sky

Graphics:

A color scheme in the darkness

As long as there will be a blood moon tonight. Günther Martello explains why: "The Earth's atmosphere reflects the sun's light and casts it onto the moon, and this light that falls on the moon shines with red and yellow, which looks like a sunset."

At 1 pm, the moon emerges completely from the shadow of the Earth. From then on, the dimming becomes harder to see at the naked eye, but the moon will shine yellowish in the partial shadow of the earth. It will be 1:30 in the morning until the moon has reached the semi-shadow of the earth.

What Happens in a Lunar Eclipse

When the sun, the earth and the moon are in a straight line, the moon disappears in the shadow of the earth and is no longer irradiated by the Sun.

The Moon and Mars are fighting over the race

The lunar eclipse this year is special for yet another reason. It coincides with the opposition of Mars planet that night. This means that while the moon is disappearing in the shadow of the earth, Mars is under the sunshine light. It is currently close to the earth and is strongly irradiated by the sun. It shines so much more than usual and becomes visible to the naked eye. As you recognize: Mars is directly under the moon on Friday night. "It shines so brightly that it will not be neglected," Günther Martello describes on Mars. "Even in the days that follow, it will still be clearly visible in the night sky."

All appear in the night sky

In general, it is worth taking a look at the night sky on Friday. In addition to the lunar eclipse and Mars light, other planets can also be seen, as Albert Sudy explains from the Central Institute of Meteorologists and Geodynamics: "D & L First, we can see Venus and Jupiter in the west. During the lunar eclipse, Saturn will appear to the south and Mars to the southeast, directly under the moon. "

Next comparable event in only 257 years

The last total lunar eclipse visible in Austria was on 28 September 2015. The next lunar eclipses in Austria will take place on 21 January 2019, but not the total phase of the lunar eclipse. Darkness will be visible, and December 31, 2028. The following two are much shorter than this year, a lunar eclipse similar to that of Austria it takes a long time to see how long l 'lasts. current, and it does not take place before October 5, 2275.

Here is the time:

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