[ad_1]
We must remember July 27, 2018. In the evening of this day we experience the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century. At the same time, Mars shines as brightly as it has been for a long time
On the evening of July 27, amateur and amateur astronomers nature lovers will have an extraordinary astronomical event, The moon will disappear for 103 minutes in the shadow of the earth and twinkle in a phantasmagoric coppery red light. Such a total lunar eclipse will no longer be felt during this century. As if that were not enough, Mars establishes a remarkable counterpoint. A few degrees from the full moon obscured, the red planet will shine brighter than Jupiter
Indirect Illumination
When the full moon rises on July 27, 2018, around 8:58 pm (CEST), she is already at the same time. horizon Half eclipsed. Depending on the location of observation – with panoramic views to the southeast and south – it is recommended that the terrestrial satellite appear as a narrow sickle over the hills about fifteen minutes later. The sun has just set and the sky is even brighter. At 21:15, begins the total phase of the lunar eclipse. From now on, the full moon will no longer receive direct sunlight.
However, the moon is still lit indirectly. The long part of the sunlight, so mainly orange and red, penetrates better into the deep layers of the Earth's atmosphere and is diverted into the shadow of the earth which is actually dark. At lunar distance these colors are able to faintly illuminate the cone of shadow. This is the reason why the moon appears reddish brown during its total eclipse. However, recent volcanic eruptions may make lunar eclipses appear much darker this time, as the ashes and aerosols in the stratosphere could also slightly dampen the residual light. In addition, the full moon of this lunar eclipse traverses the particularly dark center of the nucleus shadow.
Only 15 hours before the eclipse, the moon crossed the outermost point of its elliptical orbit (the apogee). As a result, he is on his way. This is why we are experiencing the longest lunar eclipse of the century. Only the lunar eclipse of June 9, 2123 will take three minutes longer. Eighteen years ago, on July 16, 2000, the duration of the whole was slightly exceeded. However, this lunar eclipse was still in the twentieth century.
At 22:22, we are at the top of the lunar eclipse. Now, the moon seems the darkest. The second half of the whole can be well followed in the now dark night sky. Gradually, the eastern lunar edge (left) becomes a little brighter. At 23:33, a narrow strip finally returns to direct sunlight for the first time. Notice more and more how the fainter stars fade into the sky and the return of the moon suddenly casts shadows. At 00:19, the full moon is released completely from the shadows. For a moment, the inner parts of the much lower half-shade can still be seen as a kind of smoke veil
March in the honor
The lunar eclipse puts another celestial body under the projectors. A little more than 5 degrees obliquely right under the moon, the Mars planet shines bright and clear. Luckily, he wants our neighboring neighbor planet to stand against the sun on July 27, so that it is almost on the other side seen from the ground. Such opposition is repeated every two years and two months when the Earth passes Mars in its narrower orbit
This year, the overtaking maneuver occurs at a time when Mars has almost reached the sunniest point of its orbit elliptical. Therefore, the distance between Earth and Mars is only 56.7 million kilometers. Mars was not so close to us since 2003. As a result, the red planet appears much larger and brighter than usual, even the Jupiter steals the show. In the year 2027, however, 101 million kilometers will be separated from Mars during the overtaking maneuver. The planet will shrink (apparently) to nearly half its current size and shine less brightly than Mercury
The Darkness Is Coming
Pending the next opposition March to October 2020, it is already on the 21st of January 2019 will give another total lunar eclipse. And on July 16, 2019 – the day exactly fifty years after the departure of Apollo 11 to the Moon – we observe a partial lunar eclipse in the evening
Those who want to observe the lunar eclipse and Mars through a telescope have the opportunity to see one of the many visit public observatories. In the Zurich area, the Urania Observatory and the observatories of Bülach, Rümlang and Winterthur opened their doors on the eve of the lunar eclipse
Teaser picture: Lucy Nicholson / Reuters. The photograph was taken in Oceanside, California.
Source link
