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The longest "blood moon" eclipse of this century will coincide with the closest approach to Mars in 15 years to offer skygazers an exciting double astronomical project Friday, say astronomers.
For about half the world, the moon will be partly or entirely in the shadow of the Earth from 1714 to 2328 GMT – six hours and 14 minutes in all.
The complete eclipse period – known as the "totality" the moon seems the darkest – it will last from 1930 to 21:13 GMT
"The Totality will last 103 minutes, which will make it the most long eclipse of the 21st century! " said the Royal Astronomical Society in London
At the same time, Mars will hover near the moon in the night sky, easily visible to the naked eye.
Our neighboring planet will appear unusually large and bright, barely 57.7 million kilometers from Earth in its elliptical orbit around the sun.
"We have a rare and interesting conjunction of phenomena," Pascal Descamps, an astronomer at the Paris Observatory, told AFP. should have a copper-red hue on the moon with Mars the "red planet" next door, very bright and with a slight orange hue itself. "
Southern Hemisphere amateur astronomers will be in the best position to enjoy the show, particularly in southern Africa, Australia, India and Madagascar, but also in Europe and South America.
Celestial bodies lined up
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth takes a position in a straight line between the moon and the sun, erasing the direct sunlight that normally makes our satellite yellowish.
Moon moves in a similar position every month, but the tilt of its orbit means that it normally goes above or below the Earth's shadow – most months we have a full moon without eclipse.
When the three celestial bodies are perfectly aligned, the Earth's atmosphere diffuses the blue light of the sun while refracting or bending the red light on the moon, giving it a general ent a rosy blush
This is what gives the phenomenon the name of "blood moon", although Mark Bailey of the Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland has said that the color can vary greatly.
It depends in part on "what part of the Earth" During a very dark eclipse, the moon can be almost invisible. "
" Less dark eclipses can show the moon in dark gray or in brown … like rust, brick red or, if very bright, red or orange copper. "
The long duration of this eclipse is in part due to the fact that the moon will make a pass near the center of the Earth's shadow. -the darkest and most central part of the earth. shadow
& # 39; Eerie and beautiful & # 39;
Our constant companion will also be at the farthest point of its earth orbit, making its movement across the sky slower our point of view, therefore to stay longer in the dark.
NASA, meanwhile, called o ut hoaxers social media claiming that Mars will appear as big as the moon during the eclipse.
" If that were true, we would be in big trouble considering the gravitational effects on Earth, Mars, and our moon! "NASA
Mars will likely appear as a very bright star, and viewers will not need it. 39, no eye protection equipment.
"All you need to do is We dress warmly and go out, "advises the Royal Astronomical Society. 19659005] "If you want a close-up view of the moon when it turns red, a pair of binoculars is useful."
"All eclipses are spectacular," added Robert Massey of the company.
"In the midst of a lunar eclipse, it looks like a red planet has taken up residence near Earth – they are both mysterious and beautiful and I will definitely interest myself there. "
Learn more:
Mars making the closest approach to Earth in 15 years
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