[ad_1]
The longest "blood moon" eclipse of this century will coincide with the closest approach to Mars in 15 years to offer skygazers a double astronomical thriller on Friday, say astronomers.
For about half of the world, the moon will be partly or entirely in the shadow of the Earth from 17:14 to 23:28 GMT – six hours and 14 minutes in all.
The complete eclipse period – known as the "totality", when the moon appears the darkest – will last from 1930 to 2113 GMT
"The Totality will last 103 minutes, which will make it the longer eclipse of the 21st century! " says 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 brilliant, 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, astronomer at the Paris Observatory
told AFP. should have a coppery 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, although it is also partially visible in Europe and in South America.
Read also: The longest lunar eclipse of the century will arrive this month
– Celestial bodies lined up –
A lunar eclipse total occurs when the Earth is in a straight line between the moon and the sun, erasing the direct sunlight that normally makes our satellite bright yellow-whitish.
The moon moves to a similar position month, but the # The inclination of its orbit means that it normally passes above or below the Earth's shadow – so most months we have a full moon without eclipse.
When the three celestial bodies are perfectly aligned, l & # 39; Earth's atmosphere It disperses the blue light of the sun while refracting or bending the red light on the moon, usually giving it a pinkish blush.
This is what gives the phenomenon the name of "blood moon," says Mark Bailey of the Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland.
It depends in part "on the transparency or transparency of parts of the Earth's atmosphere that allow sunlight to reach the moon," he told AFP. . to be almos t invisible.
"Less dark eclipses can show the moon in gray or dark brown … in rust, in brick red or, if they are very bright, in red or orange copper."
The long duration of this eclipse is partly 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 shadow.
Read also: The longest lunar eclipse of the century is expected to arrive this year
– "Eerie and beautiful & # 39; –
Our constant companion will also be at the farthest point of Earth's orbit, making its move across the sky NASA, meanwhile, has denounced the hoaxes of social media claiming that Mars will appear as big as the moon during the eclipse.
"If that was true, we'd be in big trouble considering the gravitational pull on Earth, Mars and our moon! NASA website states
Mars will be more likely to appear as a very bright star, and viewers will not need any eye protection equipment.
"All that you have to do is get dressed warmly and go out, "advises the Royal Astronomical Society
Looking at the moon that 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 may seem like a red planet has chosen home near Earth – they are both mysterious and beautiful and I will certainly interest myself there. "
[ad_2]
Source link
