THEthe next 7 September It will be necessary to remember to look at the night sky, because it will perform in a truly fascinating show: A total lunar eclipse which, weather permitting, you can also admire from Italy. It will not be any eclipse, but of a phenomenon in which The moon will immerse itself completely in the shadow of the earthassuming that characteristic reddish shade that earned her the Nickname of “Blood Moon”.
Eclipse of the moon, when the earth puts itself in the middle
Lunar eclipse is an astronomical event that has always fascinated, and its mechanism is, after all, rather simple. It happens when our planet is positioned in a straight line between the sun and the moon. In this configuration, the earth projects its shadow in space, and the moon, in its path, completely enters it. Precisely because the moon and the sun are in opposite directions compared to us, This show can only take place when the moon is in its full phase. The side of the satellite we look is entirely illuminated and, at that moment, is ready to show the dramatic effect of the earth’s shadow that surrounds it.
The show in half: the division of our country
If on the one hand the whole of Italy will be able to observe the eclipse, not everyone will enjoy the same view. Our country will be ideally divided into two: The beginning of the totality phase will be fully visible only in the center-south. Here you can admire the moon that begins to make its way into the earth’s shadow, until you completely disappear. For the northern regions, however, the moon arises in the sky when the totality phase has already started. This means that, while losing the first minutes of the show, those who live in the north, will not still be lost the culminating and most suggestive moment of the phenomenon.
The total lunar eclipse is about to arrive and our satellite will paint red (Getty)
Why does the moon become red?
The phenomenon of the “blood moon” is fascinating And its explanation is less complex than it seems. The moon, in fact, has no light, but reflects that of the sun. During a total eclipse, the earth gets in the middle and blocks the direct rays. The moon, however, does not disappear: its light comes filtered by the terrestrial atmosphere. The atmosphere suggests above all the red rays, those we see also in the sunsets, and so the moon lights up with that hot and fascinating color, becoming the famous “Red Luna” or “Blood Moon”.
The appointment and practical details
If you don’t want to miss the highlight, The peak of totality is expected around 20:13. The total darkening phase will last in all 82 minutes, but the observation time will vary according to the position. To give an example, a Milan, the total eclipse will be visible for about an hour and six minutes starting from the rise of the moon. The appointment for Sunday, therefore, is set, all that remains is to hope for a peaceful sky.