2023-05-06 07:00:00
The month of May begins with the manifestation of two astronomical phenomena that, in addition, will coincide on the same date: the so-called Flower moon and a penumbral lunar eclipse. As if this were not enough, this month we will also be able to enjoy a meteor shower, that of the And Acuáridas.
ECLIPSE LUNAR PENUMBRAL
And eclipse lunar penumbral It is a type of lunar eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes through the penumbra (the weakest part) of Earth’s shadow. During a penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon does not appear completely covered by Earth’s shadow, but appears slightly obscured.
What are eclipses and why do they occur?
The location and date of a penumbral lunar eclipse depend on the position of the Moon, Earth, and Sun in relation to each other. This May 5 and 6, 2023 we were able to see one. Also, while penumbral lunar eclipses are less visible than total or partial eclipses, and can be difficult to spot with the naked eye, this one in particular would be particularly visible. Not surprisingly, this was the deepest penumbral eclipse until September 2042.
Shutterstock
According to NASA, the deep penumbral lunar eclipse would be seen over Africa, Asia, and Australia, as well as much of Europe (basically Eastern and Central Europe), during the night of May 5-6, 2023. It was scheduled to begin at 15:13 UTC and peak at 17:22 UTC, before ending at 19:31 UTC. This phenomenon would have a total duration of 258 minutes, which is equivalent to 4 hours and 18 minutes. However, visibility could vary depending on the location of each person.
To view a penumbral lunar eclipse, you need a clear sky and a clear view of the Moon. It is recommended to find a place away from the artificial light of the cities and wait for the Moon to rise in the sky to have a better view. You can view the eclipse without any protection or visual aid, but you can also use binoculars or a telescope to observe additional details.
FULL MOON OF FLOWERS
The Full Flower Moon is a popular name that refers to an astronomical event in which the Moon is in its full phase and coincides with the flowering of plants in the spring. It is a term used in some cultures to describe the beauty and harmony of nature at this time of year.
It took place on May 5 at 7:36 p.m. Spanish peninsular time.
It’s important to note that the Full Flower Moon is a popular term and not an officially recognized astronomical event, but coincidentally, this year, it occurred at the same time as the penumbral lunar eclipse.
Next, the calendar of the following full moons:
Date | full moon name |
May 5th | flower moon |
June 4 | Strawberry Moon |
3rd of July | deer moon |
August 1st | sturgeon moon |
August, 31 | Supermoon Azul |
September 29th | harvest moon |
October 28 | hunter’s moon |
November 27 | Beaver Moon |
December 27 | cold moon |
METEOR SHOW ETA AQUARIDS
The Eta Aquarids shower It is an annual meteor event that occurs in May, and this year, its maximum activity is expected to take place between the 6th and 7th.
iStock
This meteor shower is caused by the remnants of Halley’s Comet, and gets its name from the star Eta Aquarii, which is its radiant (the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to come).
On average, asteroids that come into contact with the atmosphere will travel at a speed of 238,182 kilometers. And at its point of maximum concentration, The Eta Aquarids shower will bring 60 meteors per hour.
Meteor showers: stars do not fall from the sky
It is important to note that to see the Eta Aquarids shower, you need a clear, cloudless sky, as artificial light from cities can interfere with visibility. It’s also a good idea to stay out of artificial light and wait for your eyes to adjust to the darkness before you start looking for meteors.
However, this year it will be difficult to have good visibility conditions because the event almost coincides with the full moon and, therefore, it is a bad year to see them. because there will be a lot of light in the sky.
#penumbral #lunar #eclipse #flower #moon #looked