The Swiss will be able to observe a total lunar eclipse next Monday. But this will be difficult to see since it will take place at dawn, which will reduce the contrast.
The full moon will enter the Earth’s shadow at 4:25 a.m. According to the weather forecast, the weather should be sunny next week, which would favor the observation of the eclipse.
But another factor will prevent good visibility. The Moon will be totally in Earth’s shadow from 5:29 a.m., and the Sun, Earth and Moon will be perfectly aligned at 6:12 a.m., according to the Swiss Astronomical Society.
As dawn will have started almost twenty minutes earlier, the first solar rays will bring an already strong luminosity which will make the eclipse less noticeable, explains the Astronomical Society of Winterthur (ZH). We should also not see much before the precise moment of perfect alignment.
Eclipses of the Moon can only occur when the Moon is full. When the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow, it is totally shielded from direct sunlight and the full Moon’s disk takes on a reddish-orange color.
The longest total lunar eclipse of the century occurred on July 27, 2018, from approximately 9:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. A total lunar eclipse of similar duration is not expected until the year 2123.
/ATS
