Don't Miss The Blood Micro Moon Tonight!

Hey! Hey, people! Did you know that tonight a Blood Micro Moon will be hovering in the sky above our heads?

Don't be scared by its name, we've mentioned it again, a Blood Moon is just a fancy (and creepy) name for total lunar eclipses. 

Image from: wikipedia.org - Courtesy of: George Navro - License: CC BY-SA 4.0

Why Blood?

Because of the Moon's color.

A lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth goes between the Sun and the Moon and blocks sunlight from falling on the Moon's surface. The Earth's atmosphere though, allows for some sunlight to escape, filtering and leading it towards the Moon. This light gets reflected back coloring the lunar disc in an eerie red-brownish shade... [1, 2]

Image from: commons.wikimedia.org - Courtesy of Tomruen: - License: CC BY-SA 4.0

And why Micro?

Micro stands for the full moon on lunar apogee (the part in the Moon's orbit that is the farthest from the Earth) meaning that our natural satellite will look smaller than usual. This full moon also comes by the name mini moon. The opposite is called a super moon (when a full moons happens on lunar perigee, the point closest to the Earth). [1, 2]

Tonight's eclipse is special

Tonight's eclipse will be a total lunar eclipse, meaning that the whole Moon will be hidden behind our planet's shadow. This is not the only amazing thing in the case. Tonight's eclipse will also have the longest lasting total eclipse phase (or totality, if you prefer the term) of the century as the whole of the lunar disc will remain shadowed for 1h 42' and 57". [1, 2]

This happens because tonight the Moon will be passing through the center of the Earth's shadow (the umbra). This shadow tonight will be the longest and widest of the year, because the Earth will still be in its aphelion (the point farthest from the Sun). Adding the fact that, the Moon's speed will be slower tonight because it will be in its apogee, the totality phase will be longer than that of the previous total lunar eclipse of the year on January 31st. [1, 2]

Image from the Public Domain through: upload.wikimedia.org - Courtesy of: Qarnos 

The show's duration will be about 4h as the moon spends about 1h and 6' in a partial eclipse phase before and after totality. So you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the spectacle with a pair of binoculars or your home telescope or even your naked eyes... [1, 2]

Two birds with one stone

Although the Moon will steal today's show, another artist of the celestial stage will be giving an excellent performance. I am talking about Mars! 

Coincidentally, tonight is going to be Mars opposition night. This means that the Earth will be getting right in the middle of the Sun and Mars. The two spheres will be in exactly opposite positions, so as the Sun will be setting in the West we will see Mars rising in the East. [4, 5]

Mars' orbit is a little farther outwards than the Earth's and takes about 2 years to complete. This translates into the planet changing brightness constantly. The farther it gets, the fainter it seems. Since it's getting very close to the Earth these days, the planet will seem brighter unavoidably. [4, 5]

But it gets better! Because Mars will also be in its perihelion (the point closer to the Sun), it will get more sunlight thus it will appear a lot brighter! [4, 5]

Who will see it?

The eclipse will be visible from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Indonesia and Australia. People in America don't be discouraged, your turn is coming next year according to NASA. [1, 2]

You can find a map of places and times to watch the lunar eclipse here: timeanddate.com and eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov.

And here is NASA's lunar eclipse page for more information.

Image from: commons.wikimedia.org - Courtesy of: PIRULITON - License: CC BY-SA 3.0

So many coincidences tonight. So many factors combine mysteriously, I wouldn't risk missing this sight. It will be a magical night! Photographers and astrophotographers out there, get your equipment ready and go moon hunting! The rest of you, just enjoy the romantic view!

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References

[1] earthsky.org_1
[2] space.com
[3] mreclipse.com
[4] mars.nasa.gov
[5] earthsky.org_2

Thank you so much for your time!

Until my next post,
Steem on and keep smiling, people!