In just one week, the Earth’s shadow will roll across the Moon’s surface, causing a spectacular total lunar eclipse, dubbed a “blood moon,” on September 7-8.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Moon and the Sun, casting its shadow on our natural satellite. The Moon’s tilted orbit prevents us from experiencing a total lunar eclipse every month during the new moon phase. However, about three times a year, the Earth, Moon, and Sun come into perfect alignment, setting the stage for a stunning lunar spectacle.
Stargazers lucky enough to have direct line of sight to the Moon during the total lunar eclipse will see it take on a dark red hue as it slides into the deepest part of Earth's shadow during the total eclipse, known as the umbra.
The total lunar eclipse will begin globally at 11:28 a.m. (15:28 GMT) on September 7, with totality occurring at 1:30 p.m. ET (17:30 GMT) and lasting for 82 minutes before the deepest part of Earth's shadow begins to slide off the surface of the lunar disk.
Each phase of the eclipse will occur simultaneously for everyone on Earth, though your ability to see it will be determined by whether the Moon is above the horizon as the cosmic alignment progresses.
An estimated 5.8 billion people — about 76% of the world's population — across Australia, Asia, Africa and eastern Europe will be able to watch totality from start to finish.
Viewers in countries such as the United Kingdom, Spain and Brazil will have the chance to see some phases of the eclipse, but will miss parts or all of the eclipse. Unfortunately, the moon will be below the horizon for the entire duration of the eclipse on September 7-8 for those in the Americas.
Why is it called a blood moon?
It's called a blood moon because during a total lunar eclipse, Earth's atmosphere filters sunlight and scatters blue light, leaving the Moon to glow red or bronze.
About 29% of all lunar eclipses are total lunar eclipses. Earth experiences about two lunar eclipses per year. Most places on Earth can expect a total lunar eclipse about once every 2.5 years.
No comments:
Post a Comment