A rare total lunar eclipse is set to occur this week, offering a spectacular sight for sky gazers in North America and South America.
A rare total lunar eclipse is set to occur this week, offering a spectacular sight for sky gazers in North America and South America. The best views will be from these regions, with parts of Africa and Europe also catching a glimpse.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the sunlight that normally reflects off the Moon's surface.
This event is also known as a ' blood moon' due to the reddish-orange color of the Moon during the eclipse.
Total lunar eclipses are relatively rare because the Moon's orbit is tilted at an angle of about 5 degrees with respect to the Earth's orbit around the Sun, causing the Earth's shadow to fall on a specific region of the Moon's surface.
How to See the Lunar Eclipse
To witness this phenomenon, simply venture outside and look up – no special equipment is required. According to Shannon Schmoll, director of Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, ‘As long as the sky is clear, you should be able to see it.‘
However, the setting of the moon may make it harder to see the eclipse in Europe and Africa.
History of Eclipses
Lunar eclipses have been a part of human history for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations knew more about celestial bodies than we give them credit for. Aristotle noticed that the shadow cast on the moon during a lunar eclipse was always curved, observations proving that the Earth is round.
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath born in 384 BCE in Stagira, Macedonia.
He studied under Plato at the Academy in Athens and later tutored Alexander the Great.
Aristotle's works cover various subjects, including philosophy, science, ethics, and politics.
His most notable contributions include the development of logic, the concept of causality, and the classification of living organisms into plants and animals.
In ancient Mesopotamia, a total lunar eclipse was seen as a bad omen for the king. The people installed a substitute king on the throne around the time of the eclipse to protect their ruler from any bad will.
Upcoming Events
The next total lunar eclipse will take place on September 7 and is expected to be visible across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the direct sunlight that normally reflects off the Moon's surface.
This rare event is visible from anywhere on the planet, making it a unique spectacle for astronomers and sky gazers alike.
According to NASA, there are four lunar eclipses scheduled for 2023: two partial eclipses in May and June, and two total eclipses in November and December.
These events offer a fascinating opportunity to observe the Moon's shadow fall on Earth.
What’s in Store for You
According to astrologer Valerie Mesa, this lunar eclipse is ‘all about illumination and powerful endings.‘ It’s an opportunity to shed light on what’s been hidden beneath the surface and purge and release what doesn’t serve us.
