Latest news with #lunareclipse
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
A 'blood moon' is on its way, but you'll need to travel to see it
Another blood moon is coming in 2025, but you'll only see it if you're traveling internationally this fall. A total lunar eclipse will occur Sept. 7, though it won't be visible in New Jersey skies — or even in the U.S., according to Prime viewing is expected in Asia, east Africa and western Australia, along with a chance to glimpse the eclipse in Europe, eastern Australia and New Zealand, the BBC Sky at Night Magazine and said. Here's what to know about the upcoming eclipse. When is the total lunar eclipse in September 2025? The total lunar eclipse will take place Sept. 7, 2025, according to What is a total lunar eclipse? A total lunar eclipse is when the sun, Earth and moon align so the moon is covered by the Earth's shadow, or umbra, NASA said. Where will the total lunar eclipse be visible? The total lunar eclipse will be visible across parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, according to the BBC Sky at Night Magazine and Can you watch the eclipse from New Jersey? The total lunar eclipse won't be visible in New Jersey, but you can watch it online. If you'd like to follow the eclipse, check out Time and Date's online livestream on Sept 7. Why does the moon appear red during a total lunar eclipse? You can expect the moon to take on a dramatic shade of red or orange in the night sky during the total lunar eclipse, leading it to be known as a "blood moon." That's because of how sunlight strikes the moon's surface after passing through the atmosphere, NASA said. As the moon is covered by the inner part of Earth's shadow during the eclipse, sunlight not blocked by Earth is filtered through a thick slice of Earth's atmosphere before reaching the moon's surface, NASA explained. Colors with shorter wavelengths, such as blues and violets, scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, which include red and orange. When is the next total lunar eclipse? The next total lunar eclipse visible in the Americas will occur March 3, 2026, NASA said. A second, partial, eclipse visible in the Americas takes place in August 2026. August 2026 also will feature a total solar eclipse visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small area of Portugal, while a partial eclipse will be visible in Europe, Africa, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Where to view 'Blood Moon' total lunar eclipse in September Solve the daily Crossword
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Rare 5-hour lunar eclipse this Sept; how residents can watch blood moon
Next month, UAE will witness what can be considered the biggest astronomical event of the year for the country — a total lunar eclipse lasting for 1 hour and 22 minutes, one of the longest in recent years. While the total stage lasts for just over an hour, UAE residents can view different stages of the eclipse for nearly five and a half hours. Khaleej Times spoke to Dubai Astronomy Group (DAG) to understand why this particular celestial phenomenon is a rare one, the best times to view the event, and why it's called the 'Blood Moon'. While lunar eclipses occur a few times each year, many are only partial or penumbral. Total lunar eclipses are relatively uncommon, and a long, widely visible eclipse is even rarer. What makes the September 7 eclipse special is its long totality of 82 minutes and its global visibility, "with nearly 87 per cent of the world's population able to see at least part of the eclipse", DAG said. When and where will it take place? On September 7, skywatchers in most parts of the globe can look up for what's expected to be one of the "most photogenic eclipses of the decade", according to DAG. Full totality can be seen from the UAE, wider Middle East region, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. However, only partial eclipse phases will be visible in eastern South America and western North America at moonrise or moonset. During totality, the eclipse will not be visible from the central and western parts of South America during totality. Blood Moon The moon will turn red in the UAE as the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow across the lunar surface, according to Khadijah Al Hariri, Operations Manager at DAG. When the eclipse enters the total stage, the moon is fully immersed in the "umbra" — this is the central part of Earth's shadow, where all sunlight is cut off. The moon's red glow comes from "sunlight that has been filtered and bent through Earth's atmosphere," according to DAG. This scatters shorter, blue wavelengths away, allowing the larger orange and red wavelengths to reach the moon. This creates the Blood Moon, allowing residents to see a beautiful red in the sky. Viewing times in UAE The total lunar eclipse will take place on the night of Sunday, September 7, 2025, continuing into the early hours of Monday, September 8, depending on your location. In the UAE, the eclipse phases will be as follows: 7.28pm – Penumbral eclipse begins 8.27pm – Partial eclipse begins 9.30pm – Total eclipse begins 10.12pm – Maximum eclipse (Totality) 10.53pm – Total eclipse ends 11.56pm – Partial eclipse ends 12.55am – Penumbral eclipse ends How to watch Perhaps the best part of a lunar eclipse is that it is completely safe to watch with the naked eye, and requires no visual protection like special glasses or filters, according to DAG. However, for the best viewing experience, telescopes can help reveal "the he Moon's surface features, the shadow progression, and the rich red hues during totality more clearly," DAG said. For astrophotography enthusiasts, it is recommended to use a tripod and long exposure settings. Alternatively, you can still capture stunning lunar images without photography equipment by simply attaching your smartphone to a telescope eyepiece. It is essential to choose a location away from bright city lights to avoid visual interference; also, check the local weather forecast. Blood Moon against backdrop of Burj Khalifa? DAG will offer a large public viewing event where UAE residents can gather under the stars to see the Blood Moon in all its red glory. Details will be announced soon on the group's website. For those who cannot attend in person, DAG will host a global livestream with real-time coverage from Abu Dhabi's Al Sadeem Astronomy, along with international partners. "We want to celebrate the wonder of the universe, inspire curiosity, and create a shared global experience where everyone can marvel at the same celestial event, no matter where they are," DAG said. The livestream will feature a special shot capturing the eclipse with the Burj Khalifa in the frame, in collaboration with renowned photographer Rami Dibo. Different phases of the eclipse Now that you know at what times the moon will enter different phases, what do these stages mean? Dubai Astronomy Group provides a look into the distinct features of each eclipse phase: Penumbral phase: This is the first stage, when the moon enters the outer, lighter part of Earth's shadow. The moon will start dimming, which may be hard to detect with the naked eye. Partial phase: This is the second phase, when the moon moves into the umbra, the darker central part of Earth's shadow. A noticeable 'bite' appears on the lunar surface. Totality: In what can be considered the eclipse's most exciting phase, the Moon is fully inside the umbra. This is when it turns shades of red, copper, or orange, depending on Earth's atmospheric conditions. Ending phases: The Moon gradually moves out of the umbra and penumbra, reversing the process. Next eclipses The next visible lunar eclipse visible from the UAE will be on July 6, 2028. However it will be a partial eclipse. Three years from now, UAE residents can witness a unique celestial wonder, when a total lunar eclipse will illuminate New Year's Eve on December 31, 2028.
The Independent
10-07-2025
- The Independent
Solar eclipse 2026: A traveller's guide to the best places to be when the light goes out
On 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across the surface of the earth. At sunrise it will be visible in the far north of Siberia in Russia. The 'path of totality' will then cross Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain (plus a tiny corner of Portugal). Only a tiny proportion of humanity has ever witnessed a total eclipse – but the Spanish crossing, at the height of the tourist season, will provide an astronomical experience for millions in many alluring locations. Here's everything you need to know about why you witness this phenomenon – and where to be to make the most of the experience. What happens during a total solar eclipse? The greatest show on earth comes courtesy of the lifeless moon. Normally the orbiting lunar lump merely provides earth with tides, moonlight and somewhere to aim space rockets. But roughly once a year the natural satellite aligns with the sun and, thanks to a geometric miracle, blots out the hub of the solar system to create a total eclipse. 'Even though the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun, it's also about 400 times closer to earth than the sun is,' says Nasa. 'This means that from earth, the moon and the sun appear to be roughly the same size in the sky.' A narrow band marking the 'path of totality' carves an arc of darkness across the surface of our planet. If you are somewhere on that line at the predicted time, and you have clear skies, then the experience will become a lifelong memory. The closer you are to the centre of the path of totality, the longer the total eclipse will last. The longest totality in 2026 will be in the far north of Iceland. What's so good about seeing an eclipse? In the days leading up to the eclipse, locations in the path of totality acquire something of a carnival atmosphere as astronomical tourists converge in excited anticipation. On the day, the cosmological performance begins with a warm-up lasting more than an hour, during which the moon steadily nibbles away at the surface of the sun. Suddenly, you experience totality. The stars and planets appear in the middle of the day. The air chills. To testify to the heavenly fit between our two most familiar heavenly bodies, faint diamonds known as Baily's beads peek out from behind the moon. They actually comprise light from the sun slipping through lunar valleys. A sight to behold – so long as you can see the moon blotting out the sun and appreciate the mathematical perfection of nature in our corner of the galaxy. Eclipses are entirely predictable: we know the stripes that the next few dozen will paint upon the surface of the Earth. But the weather is not. Cloud cover, which blighted the Cornwall eclipse in 1999, downgrades a cosmological marvel to an eerie daytime gloom. Almost as predictable as the eclipse is that traffic aiming towards the path of totality in Spain will be heavy on the morning of 12 August 2026 – and that accommodation rates will soar to astronomical levels. Where will the great European eclipse 2026 be visible in Spain? The stripe of darkness will traverse the great cities of Bilbao, Zaragoza and Valencia in mainland Spain before arriving in Palma de Mallorca. Where should I be for the best experience? The weather prospects for the Mediterranean locations are better than for Atlantic Spain, but the area around Zaragoza is likely to be best of all. There are no guarantees of clear skies: all you can do is play the odds based on the record of cloud cover for the corresponding date in previous years. In 2024, during the great North American eclipse, all the predictions went out of the celestial window: Montreal in Canada, which had been regarded as a low-likelihood location because of usually cloudy skies in April, suddenly became the star of the show. Any alternative to being on land? Yes, a number of cruise lines will ensure their vessels are on the path of totality during the eclipse – predominantly between mainland Spain and Mallorca. They will have a certain amount of flexibility to move according to the weather forecasts. Do I need special eclipse goggles? Yes. The US National Solar Observatory says: 'During totality, you may view the sun without proper eye protection, such as solar glasses. But during all other phases of the eclipse, you should only look at the sun when your eyes are protected.' Eclipse viewing glasses will be widely available at the key locations on the line of totality I'll be in Spain (or Portugal) anyway – will I see a partial eclipse without needing to move? Viewers in much of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as France, will, if skies are clear, witness a partial eclipse. But there is nothing to compare with a total eclipse. The astronomer Dr John Mason, who has guided dozens of eclipse trips (and will be doing so again in 2026), sums up the difference between a 99 per cent partial eclipse and a total eclipse as far apart as 'a peck on the cheek and a night of passion'. You must use special eclipse safety glasses or viewers when viewing a partial eclipse – organise these in advance. When are the next total solar eclipses? The following summer (2 August 2027), the southern tip of mainland Spain is in the path of totality for an eclipse that will sweep across North Africa and the Arabian peninsula: going east from the Strait of Gibraltar, it will encompass Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, the northeasternmost corner of Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Just under 12 months later, on 22 July 2028, Outback Australia will be the place to be. A total eclipse will make landfall in northern Western Australia, sweep across the Northern Territory and part of southwest Queensland – then clean across New South Wales, with Sydney in the middle of the path of totality. Winter cloud cover could disrupt the experience in Australia's largest city – and is very likely in the southern portion of New Zealand's South Island where the eclipse reaches a finale. Australia also features in the cosmological plans on 25 November 2030. This is early summer in the southern hemisphere, and there are likely to be good conditions for viewing in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa (Durban is on the path of totality) as well as South Australia.
