Eclipse of the Moon July 2018 in Colombia

On July 27, the world will see the longest "blood moon" of the next 100 years, with a duration of 103 minutes in the whole phase.

It is one of the astronomical events of the year. Europe, for example, looks forward to: in this continent, there was no total eclipse of the Moon more than two years ago. This Friday, July 27, we will be observed when the sun goes down and that a reddish moon eclipsed by the Earth will appear on the horizon.

How does a lunar eclipse occur?

This phenomenon occurs when the Earth interposes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that obscures our satellite. For this, it is necessary that the three objects are aligned, which does not happen every month because the orbit of the Moon around our planet is inclined compared to that of the Sun-Earth.

In this case, The lunar eclipse is total because the entire moon pbades through the shadow, the darkest and most central part of the shadow. On other occasions or times, it is partial if only a part goes into the shadow; or penumbral, when it crosses the earthly gloom (outer part of the shadow where only solar radiation is partially blocked).

Unlike solar eclipses, moles can be observed from anywhere in the world ] provided our satellite – still in full moon phase – is on the horizon at the time of eclipse and that no cloud prevents his vision.

So, where will this eclipse be seen?

The total lunar eclipse of July 27 will be observed in all its phases in the Indian Ocean and the surrounding continental areas, such as East Africa , Near East and India. In other parts of Asia and Africa, as well as in Australia, Oceania, South America and Europe, only a few of its phases will be visible, although they include the most spectacular: all

according to information from NASA, not all departments will be able to see it. Antioquia, Atlantico, Chocó, Córdoba, Magdalena, Nariño, Risaralda, San Andrés and Providencia, Sucre and Valle del Cauca are excluded from observation because they are located too far to the # 39;.

The rest of the Colombians will only have five minutes to observe one of the final phases of the eclipse ( the so-called "penumbral" phase), from 18:23 with its peak at 18:25 and ending at 18:28 In other parts of the world, however, the eclipse will last more than six hours.

Even so, the eclipse can also be followed live on the Internet, as in Sky.live.com an online television specializing in the live broadcast of astronomical events.

Why is it the longest of the century?

The time taken by the moon to cross the conical shadow projected by the Earth determines the duration of the eclipse, and this time closer to the center and it will be a little more long than other times.

In its various stages, will be developed for 6 hours and 13 minutes, although to evaluate the duration of eclipses astronomers usually fix at the time of the partial eclipse (3 hours 55 minutes in this case) and especially, in the phase of totality, which will last 1 hour and 43 minutes (103 minutes, exactly 01h42m57s according to NASA), making it the longest of the 21st century.

On July 16, 2000, there was another lunar eclipse whose stage lasted longer (106 minutes), but this year belongs to the 20th century. The eclipses are cataloged in the series called Saros (periods of 223 moons) and it is the number 38 of the 71 eclipses of the cycle of Saros 129

Do you need material to see it?

In lunar eclipses ] no special equipment is needed. They are seen with the naked eye. This time you have to look for the moon that starts to leave the east, which coincides with the setting sun in the west.

You must choose a high place where you can see the horizon without obstacles. Although they are not needed, binoculars and telescopes will help to see the moon in more detail.