Here comes the total eclipse of the Moon: a new fascinating phenomenon
Appointment for Monday 16 May
On Monday, May 16, before the sun rises, a total lunar eclipse will be visible. The phenomenon, well known since ancient times, occurs when the full Moon passes into the shadow of the Earth and is hidden in the light of the Sun.
During the totality phase, when the Moon is in the shadow cone, our natural satellite does not disappear, but its color becomes red.
Three different phases : the entry of the Moon into the penumbral cone of the Earth, in this first phase the light of the full Moon decreases by 10%. As the moon enters the earth's shadow, its surface turns red. The spectacle of the "Red Moon" does not depend on our satellite, the cause of this phenomenon is the earth's atmosphere which disperses the light of the Sun into space. The light is broken down as in a "rainbow", only the red component illuminates the Moon.
This next lunar eclipse, however, is not easy to observe from Sardinia. In fact , it begins close to dawn , with the Moon entering the twilight of the Earth at 3:32, and begins to transit in the shadows at 4:27. The wholeness phase will begin at 5:29 am with the Moon low on the west / southwestern horizon and bathed in twilight. At about 6:10 am, in full phase of totality, the Sun will rise while the Moon will slowly disappear.
Despite the difficulty of observation, it is worth trying to admire this spectacular phenomenon, waiting for 2025, when from Sardinia it will be possible to see two total eclipses of the Moon.
