For the first time since January 2019, it will be possible to observe a total lunar eclipse in France during the night of this Sunday May 15 to Monday May 16. This eclipse, beginning at moonrise in America, will end at moonset in Europe and Africa. A lunar eclipse occurs when the three stars, Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned.
Our satellite, in the Full Moon phase, will pass through the Earth’s shadow cone. It will be visible in the second part of the night, in the early morning. You will have to get up earlybecause the phenomenon will begin with the entry of the Moon into the penumbra of the Earth, at 3 h 30 min (legal time), followed by its entry into the shadow, more spectacular, at 4 h 27 min. When the entire lunar disk is immersed in shadow, totality will last just over 84 min, from 5:29 to 6:54. But we won’t be able to observe it until the end.
Halfway through, the maximum will take place at 6 h 11 min, coinciding within minutes of sunrise and moonset. The weather seems to be favorable in Occitania, which should make it possible to observe this magnificent spectacle of nature with the naked eye, with binoculars or astronomical instruments.
Safe for the eyes
All without danger to the eyes, unlike solar eclipses. The aurora will increase rapidly to the northeast, as the Moon descends towards the southwest horizon. To hope for beautiful photos, it is advisable to provide an open landscape and to operate around 5 h 30 min.
The big astronomical meeting of the month of May will occur on Monday 16 when the full moon will slip into the shadow of the Earth and will be totally eclipsed… and it will be visible, in particular, in metropolitan France?https://t.co/nR9robmCNa pic.twitter.com/TEkHM9r3LC
— Guillaume Cannat (@GuillaumeCannat) May 2, 2022
In general, the Moon does not disappear during these eclipses, its surface taking on a more or less coppery orange-red color. This is explained by the refraction of the sun’s rays skimming the Earth on both sides. Setting suns on one side and rising suns on the other, they give this red color by crossing our atmosphere. It is also necessary to take into account the meteorological state of the atmosphere on this perimeter, even solar activity.
Each eclipse reserves a share of surprise, which stimulates to observe a phenomenon with always renewed coloration. An event not to be missed because the second total lunar eclipse of 2022, on November 8, will be visible from the Pacific Ocean.