The sky will soon darken in an event that only happens once every year and a half or so: a total lunar eclipse.
What is a total lunar eclipse? When exactly does it occur and how can it be seen?
This is what you should know.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up so precisely that the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of Earth. When this happens, the Sun means that the Earth will cast a shadow, known as the umbra, on the Moon, giving it a reddish-orange color. This shading is why this type of eclipse is also known as a Blood Moon.
Lunar eclipses proper occur several times a year, but are usually partial eclipses when the Moon only partially passes through the umbra.
A total lunar eclipse, however, is much rarer.
How can we see it? It is safe?
Unlike a eclipse solar, in which care must be taken when looking directly at the Sun, a lunar eclipse is completely safe. You don’t even need binoculars or a telescope for this, although it does magnify the experience. All you really need is a dark area with no bright lights to make the Blood Moon more visible.
But unfortunately, this only applies to those in the Western Hemisphere.
As pointed out by the NASA, all of South America and the eastern half of the US will experience all phases of the eclipse. Totality will be visible over nearly all of North America, Eastern Europe, and Africa.
In Israel, however, it will not be possible to see everythingsince only a partial eclipse will be visible.
Here, it will start at 4:32 p.m. on Monday, May 16. It will be clear enough that binoculars and telescopes aren’t necessary, but it won’t last long: only regarding 15 minutes, according to the Israel Space Agency.
But don’t worry if you can’t see it in person, because you can always watch it via one of NASA’s livestreams.
