DUBAI 28 July 2018: Did you see the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century last night?
If not, here is a video for you.
Blood Moon 2018: The total phase of the ‘blood moon’ eclipse of July 27 lasted 1 hour and 43 minutes, during which Earth’s natural satellite turned a spectacular red or ruddy-brown color. From start to finish, the entire celestial event lasted nearly 4 hours.
The eclipse wasn’t be visible to viewers in North America, except via webcasts. But observers in much of Africa, the Middle East, southern Asia and the Indian Ocean region got an eyeful, given cooperative weather, according to lunar scientist Noah Petro, of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
July’s total lunar eclipse occurs on the same day the planet Mars reaches its opposition, when it will shine at its best in the night sky. This month, Mars will be at its closest to Earth since 2003. After opposition, when Mars will be brightest, it will reach that closest point on July 31.
What is the Blood Moon of July 27?
The moon turns deep red or reddish brown during eclipses, instead of going completely dark. That’s because some of the sunlight going through Earth’s atmosphere is bent around the edge of our planet and falls onto the moon’s surface. Earth’s air also scatters more shorter-wavelength light (in colors such as green or blue); what’s left is the longer-wavelength, redder end of the spectrum.
Video courtesy Nasa and YouTube.
Longest ‘blood moon’ eclipse best observed in UAE
The Emirates was among the best places in the world to watch the celestial spectacle.
The whole event started from around 10.00 p.m. Friday and lasted to around 3.00 a.m. Saturday in the UAE.
Viewers needed no protective eye gear to observe the spectacle — unlike when watching solar eclipse. On the same night and over the coming days, Mars will be at its closest point to Earth since 2003.
Marking the occasion, a series of functions has been held across the country, including the capital Abu Dhabi, that featured lectures on eclipses and visible planets that can be seen at this time of year, said Wam.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) while attending a seminar organised by the International Astronomical Centre on the Abu Dhabi Corniche to mark the event, Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director-General of UAE Space Agency, said that the Agency, by participating in such events, seeks to promote public awareness of such astronomical phenomena.
“Lunar eclipse is an opportunity to stimulate the passion and curiosity for such rare events,” he said.
“The UAE Space Agency sponsored a series of observation points at a number of astronomy centres throughout the UAE, to provide residents with the opportunity to witness the longest total lunar eclipse of the century. The sponsorship of such events comes within the framework of our strategic objective to raise awareness of our national space sector, and the UAE’s abundance of advanced astronomy centres and their world-class capabilities. This global phenomenon is an important opportunity for us to shed light on our dynamic national space sector.”
UAE residents were invited to visit the astronomy centres to watch this unique astronomical phenomenon. Viewing locations include the International Astronomical Centre, based in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Mobile Observatory, Al Sadeem Astronomy, Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences and the Dubai Astronomy Group.