- Felipe Souza – @felipe_dess
- BBC News from Brazil on Sao Paulo
Credit, Reuters
A complete lunar eclipse occurs when there is a perfect alignment between the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
According to Roberto Costa, a professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of São Paulo (USP), a complete lunar eclipse can be seen in Brazil on the next Sunday night (May 15).
This is the only complete lunar eclipse this year, according to astronomers. The next one is only in May 2025.
The eclipse of this Sunday can be seen not only in Brazil, but throughout South and Central America, parts of North America, parts of Europe, and parts of Africa.
Credit, Science photo library
Eclipse, which takes place this Sunday, is the only one in 2022
‘Blood Month’
A complete lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, earth, and moon are aligned. With this, the Earth completely covers the Moon’s plate and this causes a phenomenon. The earth’s natural satellite then turns reddish – which came to be called “blood moon.”
A USP professor of astronomy tells BBC News Brazil that the term “Blood Moon” has become popular in recent years after being frequently used in the press.
“This probably happened under the influence of American websites, but we must not forget the fact that the physical phenomenon itself is a lunar eclipse. That is, the moment the Earth is exactly between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to be reflected on the Moon,” said the professor.
A reddish color is created, the professor explains, because the Earth’s atmosphere acts as a filter for sunlight.
“The mechanism is this: our planet’s atmosphere normally filters sunlight, lets red colors through more effectively and reflects blue, so we see the blue sky during the day. In lunar eclipse, the Earth is exactly between the Sun and the Moon. at the edges “(as the observer sees) the atmosphere forms a halo that allows little light to pass through. This light is red on the atmospheric filter and falls on the Moon, which takes on a reddish-brown hue,” says USP professor Roberto Costa.
Credit, The average PA
The lunar eclipse can be seen in all Brazilian states on Sunday night
That reddish hue can vary, he said, depending on the blackout. It may be darker, closer to brown or lighter, for example brown or reddish.
Where and when to see the lunar eclipse
The lunar eclipse can be seen completely from all over Brazil. The professor says it is very easy to see the earth because it happens at the end of the night and the moon is high.
According to the professor, a partial eclipse will be visible starting next Sunday at 11.28 p.m. Brasília. On Monday (February 16) at 00:29 a complete eclipse will begin, lasting until 1.54.
The eclipse is expected to end at 2.55.
The National Observatory, a research unit affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, also broadcasts the phenomenon live. The broadcast will start from this link at 11:15 p.m.
Can I watch the eclipse without goggles?
Because it is a lunar eclipse, astronomers interviewed by BBC News Brazil said its direct observation poses no risk to the eyes.
“It’s basically about watching the full moon. No instruments are needed, with the naked eye it’s already a beautiful sight. If anyone wants, they can also use binoculars, a telescope or a telescope,” the USP professor said. .
Because the eclipse occurs at the end of the night and early in the morning, the moon is very high in the sky, making it easier to visualize the phenomenon.
The USP astronomer has only one concern.
“The only practical problem is the weather. The forecast is that the southeast will be cloudy on Sunday. If that really is the case, we here in São Paulo will miss the show.”
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