Space and astronomy enthusiasts are preparing for a partial lunar eclipse when the supermoon appears. The scene will be visible in clear skies in several places around the world.
The Astronomical Research Institute in Egypt confirmed that the world will witness a lunar eclipse on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, which will appear in some regions of the world, such as the Americas, parts of Antarctica, the western Indian Ocean, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, and eastern Polynesia.
The duration of the partial eclipse period, from the beginning of the moon entering the Earth’s shadow until it exits it from the opposite side, will be one hour and 3 minutes.
This is the second and final lunar eclipse of the year after a minor eclipse in March. A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow that darkens a slice of the moon and appears to take a “bite” from it.
Because the moon will be closer to Earth than usual, it will appear a little bigger in the sky. “A little bit of the sunlight is blocked, so the moon will be a little bit dimmer,” said Valerie Rapson, an astronomer at the State University of New York at Oneonta.
No special eye protection is needed to view the lunar eclipse. Viewers can stare at the moon with the naked eye or opt for binoculars and telescopes to get a closer look.
According to NASA, the Earth, moon and sun line up to produce a solar or lunar eclipse anywhere from four to seven times a year. Last April, a total solar eclipse plunged cities in North America into darkness.
For a more striking lunar spectacle, moonwatchers can set their calendars for March 13, when the Earth’s shadow is expected to completely eclipse the moon, turning it red due to stray bits of sunlight leaking through Earth’s atmosphere.
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2024-09-17 16:43:33