In the evening of July 27, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Observatory, the Moon will pass through the shadow of the Earth. This lunar eclipse will be the longest in the 21st century. About 103 minutes! This phenomenon is important not only to scientists. Astrologers argue that this unique astronomical event will allow us to have a different look at some of the vital aspects. It will help to identify and eliminate sources of disharmony in relationships with others, to establish business contacts and solve many other problems. Our ancestors believed that the desires that we made during the lunar eclipse will necessarily accomplish, and this events are fatal.
Scientists report that the maximum shadow phase of the current eclipse will be 1.61 at the Moon’s passage through the center of the earth's shadow. Its duration is one hour and 43 minutes. This is the maximum length in the current century. Theoretically, the maximum possible duration of the full phase of the lunar eclipse is 108 minutes. These were, for example, lunar eclipse of 13 August 1859 and 16 July 2000.
The lunar eclipse will come on when the Moon in its full phase enters the cone of the shadow that is thrown back by the Earth. The diameter of the spots of the Earth's shadow at a distance of 363,000 km is about 2.5 diameters of the moon, so the moon is shaded completely. This phenomenon only will be observed on that half of the earth, where at the moment of darkness the moon will be above the horizon. In particular, on July 27, it will be visible in Europe, East Africa, Central and South Asia, as well as in Antarctica. In Ukraine, we observe the darkness around 10.00 p.m.
When the full eclipse occurs, the moon will turn reddish or brown. The color of the eclipse will depend on the state of the upper layers of the earth's atmosphere. In addition, not only the color but also brightness can be different. It will be traditionally defined on a special scale called the Danjon scale. In honor of the French astronomer André Danjón, who lived in 1890-1967.The Danjon scale has 5 points. 0 - the eclipse is very dark (the moon is hardly guessed in the sky), 1 is darkening gray (marked on the moon), 2 is darkening gray with a brown tint, 3 is a light red-brown eclipse, 4 is a very light copper-red eclipse (The moon is clearly visible, and the main details of the surface are visible).
If the plane of the lunar orbit lay in the plane of the ecliptic, the lunar eclipse would occur on a monthly basis. But most of the time the Moon spans either above or below the Earth's orbital plane due to the fact that the plane of the lunar orbit has a five-degree inclination to the Earth's orbital plane. The natural satellite of the Earth, as a result, falls into its shadow only twice a year, that is, at a time when the nodes of the lunar orbit (the points of its intersection with the plane of the ecliptic) are on the Sun-Earth line.
So every year there are at least two lunar eclipses, but due to the difference in the planes of the lunar and earth orbits, their phases are different. Eclipses repeat in the same order every 65,551 days (or 18 years 11 days and 8 hours - a period called saros). Knowing where and when there was a complete lunar eclipse, you can accurately determine the time of subsequent and previous eclipses. Interesting the following, due to this cycle, historians were able to accurately date the events described in the historical chronicles. The history of lunar eclipses goes far into the past. The first complete lunar eclipse is recorded in ancient Chinese chronicles. With the help of calculations it was possible to calculate that it occurred on January 29, 1136 BC. Three more complete lunar eclipses are recorded in "Almagesty" by Claudius Ptolemy (March 19, 721 BC, March 8, and September 1, 720 BC). As long as people do not understand the nature of eclipses, "blood moon" has caused them fear, which was due to the religious factors and beliefs. Our ancestors believed that the Moon at this moment attacked by unclean spirits. In ancient China, they were convinced that during the darkness the moon was devoured by the dragon. The Egyptians saw in these processes the machinations of the evil god Seth, and the ancient Germans believed that a giant wolf was hunting the Moon...
Modern astronomers never use the expression "bloody moon". Just one time NASA called it a full moon. It caused a lot of jokes and hints to its address. To effectively use the moment, during which the eclipse occurs, scientists are preparing for it for many months, making precise calculations of the eclipse, studying weather forecasts in the eclipse and doing the search for an optimal place for observation. Professional observations of lunar eclipses bring some scientific benefit, because they provide material for studying the structure of the earth's shadow and the formation of the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere. Amateur observations of these phenomena are reduced for precise recording of moments of contacts, photographing, sketches and description of changes in the brightness of the moon and lunar objects in the darkened part of the Moon.
Amateur photography of this phenomenon is usually carried out by a camera with a lens that can be removed. Then, the eyepiece of the telescope adapts to the body of the device with the aid of an adapter. If the camera lens cannot be removed, it is simply placed on the eyepiece of the telescope, but the quality of such a picture will be poor. In the presence of a Zoom function in a camera or video camera, the need for additional magnifying instruments, as a rule, disappears, because the size of the Moon with a maximum increase in such a camera is sufficient for filming.
This astronomical event attracts the attention of not only astronomers - professionals and amateurs. Astrologers argue that during the lunar eclipse some aspects of life can open to us on the other hand. And there may be the ways of eliminating disharmony in a relationship with others. There will be an impetus for establishing new business contacts and solving many problems.
Owing to the eclipse you may have a positive impact on life and everything planned in this period become true; you can use a special technique to make desires. It is based on ordinary meditation. It will last for 20 minutes: 10 minutes before the exact time of eclipse and 10 minutes after. During this time you should imagine a vivid picture of the plot or simply ask for the help from the Supreme Forces. It is important at the same time to combine the power of imagination and the power of intent. Feel your heart and understand what you are striving for. And then, thank the Universe for the connection with the necessary and favorable circumstances of the observation of a unique natural phenomenon. It is very important to avoid negative thoughts or doubts.
Even in the ancient chronicles it was written that during the period of lunar eclipse all events that suddenly occur during the darkness are not accidental. They are fatal and have a significant impact on the future.