Scientists say that this July, earthlings will have the chance to watch the longest Lunar Eclipse of the 21st century, as it will last no less than 1 hour, 43 minutes.
At the end of July, the night between 27th and 28th will be a marvelous night, scientists say, because science aficionados will have the chance to watch the longest total lunar eclipse this century.
The good news is that it will be visible on the entire Eastern Hemisphere’s night sky. The bad news is that North America will not be able to see it.
During a lunar eclipse, the sunlight that reaches the surface of the moon is temporarily blocked by the Earth, thus creating the amazing effect of an eclipse. This one that will happen on the night of July 27-28 will last about 2 hours.
This year already started off with the right foot, with a marvelous phenomenon on the last day of January 2018, the well-known Super Blue Blood Moon eclipse. However, this eclipse lasted for a little over one hour (1 hour and 16 minutes, more precisely). According to the experts, the longest possible total lunar eclipse does not exceed 1 hour and 47 minutes.
The main reason why this eclipse that will happen at the end of July 2018 will last for so long is that the moon will pass directly into the darkest area of the planet’s umbral shadow. From the beginning to the end, the Earth’s natural satellite will take about 4 hours to cross the umbral shadow of the planet.
According to Earth Sky, people living in Europe, Asia, Africa, New Zealand and Australia will be the luckiest ones, because the moon will be visible to them. On the other hand, North America, the Pacific Ocean, and the Arctic will not be so lucky this time.
If you happen to be in the Middle East or Madagascar, you will benefit from the best view of the eclipse, especially around midnight.
If you miss this eclipse, the next one will happen next year, on January 21st.
