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Time of India
5 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Blood Moon on Corn Moon: When and where to watch the upcoming Lunar eclipse!
There's something magical about watching the Moon slowly change the mood of the night sky. For thousands of years, humans have witnessed numerous lunar eclipses and the Moon's changing colours, ranging from white to orange and red. Unlike solar eclipses, which require special eye protection and only last minutes, lunar eclipses are long, easy to watch, and completely safe to view with the naked eye. And this year, skywatchers are in for a real treat as a spectacular total lunar eclipse is coming in September, and people across much of Asia, Africa, and Australia can watch it clearly. What is a Blood Moon , and why does it occur A "Blood Moon" is a nickname for a total lunar eclipse, when the Moon moves completely into Earth's shadow. During this time, instead of going dark, the Moon turns a deep red or coppery color. As sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere, it gets filtered and scattered. Blue light is scattered more, while red light bends around Earth and reaches the Moon, casting that eerie reddish glow. This effect is the same reason sunsets appear red. So, despite its name, a Blood Moon has nothing to do with actual blood. It's just our planet's atmosphere painting the Moon red, one of nature's most beautiful and haunting tricks. When and where to watch A total lunar eclipse or "blood Moon" is set to grace the night sky on September 7, 2025. According to the BBC Sky at Night Magazine, the entire event will be visible in India, China, Russia, western Australia, eastern Africa, or across central Asia quite clearly. The eclipse will reach its peak during the night from 11:00 PM on September 7 to 12:22 AM on September 8. However, the entire eclipse will span from as early as 8:58 PM to as late as 2:25 AM. The 82 minutes of totality of the eclipse make it one of the longest total lunar eclipses in recent years, and because it's just before the Moon's closest point to Earth (perigee), it will appear slightly larger in the sky. This is a Corn Moon eclipse Some people also call the upcoming total lunar eclipses the Corn Moon eclipse, but what exactly does that mean? Every full Moon of the year has a traditional nickname, based on seasonal changes or events happening near them. For example, the February full Moon is called the "Snow Moon" because it's typically the snowiest time of year. The June full Moon is the "Strawberry Moon", since strawberries are usually harvested then. The September full Moon is known as the "Corn Moon", named for the time of year when corn is ready to be harvested. So, the name "Corn Moon" isn't unique to 2025; it happens every September. This Corn Moon is special because it's also turning into a total lunar eclipse, which is why it is being called the "Corn Moon eclipse."
Calgary Herald
02-07-2025
- Science
- Calgary Herald
How to see the letters X and V on the moon tonight
The full moon is a glorious sight, and the sliver of a brand-new moon a wispy delight, but tonight's first-quarter moon has its own unique treat — for a few hours, you can make out the letters X and V on the lunar surface. Here's how. Article content Article content As the photo shows, the lunar X appears about a third of the way from the bottom of the moon, while the Lunar V is a little above the centre. Both features straddle the line between the light and dark sides of the moon, known as the terminator, with the X appearing a little into the dark side, and the V closer to the light side. Article content Article content Why do the letters appear? Article content Article content They're not really there on the surface, and you can't see them at any other time. What you're looking at is called the 'clair-obscur' effect, in which the play of light and shadow on the surface creates the appearance of shapes; in this case, giant letters, formed by the partially lit edges of craters. Article content When do the letters appear? Article content According to British astronomer Mary McIntyre, the effect kicks off tonight at about 7:30 p.m. ET, and should last about four hours. That means by the time the sun has set and the moon is at its brightest, you should be able to get a good look, clouds permitting. Article content What's the best way to see them? Article content Naked eye is a little tricky, since they are quite small. But decent binoculars (or better yet a small telescope) should bring them into focus. Article content Humans have been looking at the moon since we were human, and through telescopes since they were invented, so it's not surprising that other transient shapes have been noticed and given evocative names, including the jewelled handle, Cassini's moon maiden, Plato's hook and the eyes of Clavius, not to mention the so-called 'man in the moon' that many people see in the full moon. Article content McIntyre has a chart of when to look for them, while BBC's Sky at Night Magazine has a nice picture that shows their locations. The best part about all this is that if you miss them, they'll come back again every 28 days, forever.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Stargazing Could Be Key To Your Well Being, And A Clear Sky Is All You Need To Reap The Benefits
Few things in the world are more awe-inspiring than staring up at a dark, starry sky and now science says it could be good for your mental health, too. It all has to do with that sense of wonder that comes with gazing out into the universe. Some scientists equate awe with emotions like joy and love, which are key to human survival. Awe can calm our minds and, and realizing just how small we are can make us feel a closer connection to our fellow humans and the world as a whole. There is limited research on the subject of the night sky and mental health, but what there is points to a positive correlation. Mampho Ledimo is a psychology and sociology student working on a project called Astronomy For Mental Health. "Thinking about the scale of the universe, how old the universe is, how old the Earth is … to some extent this can [help us] get rid of the idea that we have control over every single aspect of our lives," Ledimo told the BBC's Sky At Night Magazine last year. "It allows you to say, 'you know what? I don't have control over everything. I can only control the small things that I have influence over.'" All you need to see the show are a blanket on your lawn and clear skies. And while you can catch an amazing night sky any time of the year, some seasons put it over the top. "The best time of year for stargazing is usually in the late fall and early winter when the nights are longer and the air is cold and stable. This reduces cloud coverage and allows you to see the stars," graphics meteorologist Briana Waxman said. "You also want to be in an area with low light pollution so that you can see the light from the stars clearly. That means getting away from the big city, which can be good for your mental health, too." -Here's What A Ring Around The Moon Might Mean For Your Weather -What To See In April's Night Sky -Don't Miss These Top Celestial Events Of 2025
