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A rare total lunar eclipse – expected to be the longest in the 21st century – is expected to take place on Friday, when the Earth's natural satellite will turn red-blooded.
The celestial event, where the moon will line up with the Earth and the sun, will be seen across the UK and other parts of the Eastern Hemisphere.
During the eclipse, the moon will traverse the darkest shadow of the Earth. take a red glow, with the phenomenon being described as the "blood moon".
Here is why it is worth taking the time to attend the event:
1. It is going to be the longest eclipse of the 21st century
Although it should last 103 minutes, those in the UK and in Ireland will not be able to see the beginning of the lunar eclipse because the moon will always be below the horizon.
However, the partial eclipse will be visible for almost four hours.
Dr. Gregory Brown, of the Royal Observatory of Greenwich, said, "We are missing a section of the eclipse because the moon is under our horizon when it starts." The Southeast Observers will be able to see the eclipse a little longer than those of the north-west.
"The eclipse will be already in progress when the moon will rise above the south-east horizon around 20:50 and the total eclipse will end by around 22:15.
"From that moment, the Earth's shadow will slowly recede across the lunar surface until the partial eclipse comes to an end.
" The Moon Will Remain in a very weak penumbral shadow for about an hour after that, but this is typically a shade too light to the naked eye to notice the difference between that and the full moon that follows. "
2. The moon will become a dark red color
Dr. Brown has said: "The United Kingdom will be treated to a rare total lunar eclipse, also known as the 'blood moon'.
"At that moment, the moon passes into the shadow of the Earth, blocking the sunlight.
" However, instead of becoming black as you might expect, the atmosphere Earth bends the sunlight on the moon and turns it into a dark red color, hence the somewhat threatening name of this event.
"Although more common than the solar eclipse, the event is nevertheless quite unusual, with even partial eclipses seldom occurring more than once or twice a year and each one does not. being visible only from one part of the Earth. "
Mars will shine brightly in the night sky
The last time Mars was bigger and brighter than in 2003, when it was less than 56 million kilometers from the Earth.
Dr. Edward Bloomer, also astronomer at the Royal Observatory of Greenwich, said: "Although Mars is in opposition is a regular event, the elliptical orbits of the planets mean that the distance between them can vary a lot.
"On July 27, Mars will be at its closest point to Earth, with the timing of the opposition being early in the morning, although here in the UK, we will have to wait until At night. "
will appear as a bright reddish star, and even if the brightness of the opposition will not be as good for the next few years, it will not make any difference to the observations at the Naked eye "
4. Other objects will also be visible
Although not being as distinct as Mars, d & # 39; other planets will also appear in the night sky. 19659002] Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will also be visible to eagle-eyed skygazers.
And those who will be awake after 11 pm will be able to see the International Space Station (ISS), which is moving rapidly across the western sky in the East
It appears as a bright star, before disappearing from the seen a few minutes later.
Robin Scagell, Vice President of the Society for Popular Astronomy, said: "It's a shining white star … as an object but it does not sparkle and it's really undoubted. "
5. Expect a disturbing sight
Mr Scagell said: "You can see this dark red moon very disturbing.
" In the early days, the experience of a total lunar eclipse would have looked like the end of the world. It is not surprising that people have been terrified of it. "
Contrary to a solar eclipse, the lunar event can be seen without wearing goggles."
Dr. Brown added, "Like any eclipse will occur when the moon is close enough to On the horizon, the main thing to ensure is that you have a clear line of sight to the southeast.
"Try to find an open space or a treeless hill and tall buildings around you."
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