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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 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 the Earth on its elliptical orbit around the sun
"We have a rare and interesting conjunction of phenomena," he said. AFP Pascal Descamps, astronomer at the Observatoire de Paris. 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 especially 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 su n, erasing the direct sunlight that normally makes our satellite yellowish blue.
The moon moves to a similar position every month, but the inclination of its orbit means that it normally passes above or below the Earth's shadow.When the three celestial bodies are perfectly aligned, the The Earth's atmosphere diffuses blue light from the sun while refracting or bending the red light on the moon, which usually gives it a pink blush.
This is what gives the phenomenon the name of "blood moon
It depends partly on transparency and transparency. The atmosphere of the Earth allows sunlight to reach the moon, "he told AFP
" During a very dark eclipse, the moon can to be almost invisible. like rust, brick red, or, if very bright, copper-red or orange. "
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.
– Eerie and beautiful –
Our constant companion will also be at the end of its Earth's orbit, making its movement across the sky slower from our point of view, thus spending more time in the future. NASA, meanwhile, has denounced social media hoaxers claiming that Mars will appear as big as the Moon during the eclipse.
"If this were true, we would be in big trouble considering gravitational effects on Earth, Mars, and our moon! NASA website says
March will likely appear as a very bright star, and viewers will not need any eye protection equipment
"All you have to do is to dress warmly and go out! "The Royal Astronomical Society advises:
" If you want a close-up view of the moon when it turns red A pair of binoculars is helpful. "
" 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 occupy myself d & # 39; it "!
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