On the night of March 13-14, the inhabitants of the Earth will be able to see the first total lunar eclipse since 2022. We tell you when it will start and where you can watch its live broadcast.
Why the Moon turns red during an eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow. At that moment, its disk turns a distinctive dark red color.
This effect is explained as follows. Although the Moon is in shadow, its surface still receives sunlight refracted by the Earth’s atmosphere. During this process, they are partially scattered. Since the Earth’s atmosphere is most transparent to rays in the red-orange part of the spectrum, these rays reach the Moon’s surface to a greater extent. That is why it acquires such a color during an eclipse.
When the lunar eclipse begins
The chronology of the forthcoming lunar eclipse is as follows:
- 03:57 a.m. GMT (10:57 p.m. EST) – the beginning of penumbral eclipse. At this stage, the Moon will be immersed in the Earth’s penumbra, expressed in a slight darkening of its surface, which will be difficult to notice with the naked eye.
- 05:09 a.m. GMT (12:09 a.m. EST) – the beginning of a private eclipse. During this phase, the Moon’s darkening will become visible.
- 06:26 a.m. GMT (1:26 a.m. EST) – the beginning of the total eclipse. At this moment the Moon will completely hide in the Earth’s shadow and will acquire a dark red color.
- 06:58 a.m. GMT (1:58 a.m. EST) – the maximum phase of the eclipse.
- 07:31 a.m. GMT (2:31 a.m. EST) – the end of the total eclipse.
- 8:47 a.m. GMT (3:47 a.m. EST) – end of the private eclipse.
- 10:00 a.m. GMT (5:00 a.m. EST) – the end of the penumbral eclipse.
In total, the eclipse will last 6 hours and 3 minutes. The duration of the total phase will be 1 hour and 5 minutes. Curiously, the eclipse will occur during a micromoon. This is the coincidence of the full moon with the moment when the Moon passes the apogee of its orbit. At this point, the visible diameter of the lunar disk is about 7% smaller than usual. However, it is fair to say that it is quite difficult for the human eye to notice such a difference.
Live stream of the lunar eclipse
The upcoming eclipse will be entirely observed in North and South America. Some phases of the eclipse will be visible in western Europe and Africa, as well as in Asia.
But residents of our country will not see it. By the time the eclipse begins, the Sun will have already risen over Ukraine, and the Moon will be hidden behind the horizon. However, it will be possible to see the rare celestial phenomenon on the Internet. The eclipse will be broadcast live on YouTube.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that this year residents of Ukraine will have the opportunity to see the total lunar eclipse with their own eyes. It will take place on September 7 and will be visible throughout our country.
