Centro Ciência Viva de Constância will be open from Sunday night to Monday, May 15-16, from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., to accompany the total lunar eclipse, with observations and image recordings of different phases of the phenomenon through telescopes, and at the same time , will be broadcast live, with comments on the different phases of the eclipse, through the social network Facebook.
During Monday, May 16th – “World Day of Light” and “National Scientists Day” – event registration will be available, along with another recording dedicated to the study of natural satellite and scientific information that sunlight reflects on the moon’s surface, even without humans on the moon’s surface.
The Lisbon Astronomical Observatory shows that the moon begins to enter the semi-shadow of the Earth at 2:31 am, and from that moment the moon gradually darkens, acquiring more shades of gray. Then, at 3:28 AM, the moon begins to enter the Earth’s shadow, acquiring more reddish-brown tones.
The beginning of the total eclipse occurs at 4:29 am, when the moon is fully inside the Earth’s cone of shadow. Although completely in the shade, the moon is still visible but has a reddish-brown hue. In fact, during a lunar eclipse, the sun’s rays fall on the moon after crossing the Earth’s atmosphere where they scatter and lose a large amount of blue-green light. Thus, during an eclipse, the moon does not shine with a white light but with a redder light.
The maximum eclipse occurs at 5:12 AM when the Moon is at the center of the Earth’s shadow. The moment of the full moon occurs just two minutes later at 5:14 am. At 5:54 am the total eclipse ends, that is, the moon begins to leave its shadow, gradually losing its red tone and acquiring a dark gray tone. Finally, at 7:52 am, the moon completely leaves its semi-shadow, returns to its usual color, but by this time the moon will already be below the horizon.
The next total lunar eclipse will occur on November 8, 2022.
Other articles
George Orwell is a writer and contributor covering politics, society, culture, and current affairs. His work focuses on providing clear analysis and thoughtful commentary on the issues shaping modern Britain and the wider world, helping readers better understand complex topics.
