How to see today’s lunar eclipse from Mexico and Spain

We have already warned that the May astronomical events brought with them a total lunar eclipse, which, logically, we should not miss. And that day has come. It will be in time night from Sunday 15 May to Monday 16 May. The satellite will not disappear completely, but will be colored redso we will witness what is known as Blood Moon.

Like any other lunar eclipse, it will occur because the Earth, in its journey around the Sun, will be between it and the Moon. As for the reddish tone, it is due to the fact that, despite the fact that our satellite is immersed in the earth’s shadow, a certain amount of sunlight falls on it, filtered by the earth’s atmosphere. This filtering removes most wavelengths and only allows red through.

In Mexico, you don’t have to set an alarm to enjoy it. moon eclipsesince the satellite will enter completely into earth shadow in 22:30.It will remain visible until 23:54when he starts to come out of the shadows and everything will gradually return to normal. However, in Spain, the lunar eclipse will be fully visible around 5:30 am, peninsular time. Of course, there will be slight differences between provinces, so it’s important to consider where we’re going to see it from.

Schedule of lunar eclipses in Spain

Generally speaking, a partial eclipse starts in Spain at 04:28 and ends at 07:55. However, it will be completely from 05:29 to 06:54, when the satellite turns red and completely plunges into the shadow of the Earth. all with one hour behind in the Canary Islandslogically.

The problem is that at some point the whole process of going in and out of the shadow won’t be visible because the Moon will eventually hide before it’s all over. As the National Geographic Institute (IGN) explains, “on the peninsula of Ceuta and Melilla we will not see the full extent of how the moon emerges from the shadow of the earthbut in the Canary Islands they will be lucky enough to see this stage in its entirety.”

In addition, in the northeast of the peninsula and in the Balearic Islands The moon will set before the end of the total eclipse. Therefore, only the beginning of the full phase will be visible, but not the end. To know exactly which show will match us in each province, we can visit IGN Astronomy Page. There we will find a map and we can click on a province to see its schedule.

As for how to see it, nothing special is required. The lunar eclipse, both in its partial and total phase, will be visible without problems. naked eye. It is logical that binoculars or a telescope will be visible in more detail, but this is not important. And protection is also not needed, because, unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses do not pose any danger to the eyes.

You just have to go outside, as far away from light pollution as possible, look at the sky and enjoy. In Mexico it will be easy, in Spain it will cost us a good morning (or a very late bedtime), but the show is definitely worth it.