tonight at early morning from 30 to 31 Januarywhich are in southern North America, Central America, or the Caribbean they will have the opportunity to see the eclipse of Mars by the Moon. In fact, Mars and the Moon have been playing hide-and-seek for several months, distributing a show that, like a tour of a famous artist, has gradually traveled to all points of the planet. December 8 located in North America and Western Europe, January 3 in the Indian Ocean and Central Africa. Now it’s their turn.
For several hours on the other side of the world, you will see Mars gradually approaching the Moon, disappearing behind it and returning to be visible a few hours later.
The lunar eclipse will happen with the help of our satellite 74% filled, so that Mars will hide under its dark end and reappear in a few hours at the light end. The time, of course, will depend on where we are. But if we focus on Mexico time zonewill start at 22:59 and will last until 00:27according to space.com.
What is a lunar eclipse from Mars?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon in its path around the earth passes in front of a celestial object, according to an observer on our planet. In this case, for people in the above regions, the Moon will pass in front of Mars and hide it for several hours.
Not to be confused with eclipse
Although, etymologically speaking, one could say that the Moon will eclipse Mars, the term eclipse it is used in astronomy in a different way. In particular, we are talking about the phenomenon through which light from one object is blocked by another. For example, in a lunar eclipse, the Earth is placed between the Sun and the Moon, so that the latter, without receiving the light of the royal star, is darkened.
How can we see it?
If the sky is clear, an eclipse of Mars by the Moon will be visible. naked eye. Just look at the constellation Taurus where the red planet is. Or, much easier, look for the Moon itself. The bright and red dot, which will gradually approach it, is Mars.
This is easy to see unaided; although, logically, the show will be seen much better with binoculars or telescope. It will also be a good time for astrophotographers to take their cameras and immortalize the show. Thus, those of us who find ourselves in the least fortunate part of the planet this time will also have the opportunity to see it.
Source: Hiper Textual
