Tomorrow Science Center Will Host the "Total Lunar Eclipse" Observation Event to Welcome the Simultaneous Appearance of the Total Lunar Eclipse and the Super Moon

In accordance with the data from the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, two special astronomical phenomena will take place in Macao at the same time tomorrow (May 26), namely the total lunar eclipse and the super moon. The total lunar eclipse or the super moon itself is not rare, but it is very rare for the total lunar eclipse appears with the super moon at the same time. It was on September 28, 2015 that the total lunar eclipse and the super moon occurred at the same time last time. If missing it tomorrow night, you will have to wait 12 years, that is, you won't have the opportunity to appreciate the astronomical phenomena that the total lunar eclipse and the super moon appear at the same time until 2033.

As one of the best places to observe the total lunar eclipse and the super moon, the Center will host the "Total Lunar Eclipse" Observation Event on the seaside behind the Árvore em forma de Coração from 6:30 to 9 pm tomorrow. At that time, the Center will provide 76mm refracting telescope, and 90mm and 235mm catadioptric telescopes for the public to use to enjoy the rare total lunar eclipse and the super moon and to experience the fun of observing the sky at night. In addition, the Center will arrange staff to guide participants on the scene to operate astronomical telescopes and share astronomical knowledge related to the total lunar eclipse or the super moon.

The first total lunar eclipse of this year will appear from 7:10 to 7:29 pm tomorrow , lasting about 19 minutes. When the total lunar eclipse occurs, the earth's atmosphere will refract the red light from the sun to the surface of the moon, making the moon mysteriously dull red. The lunar eclipse is expected to disappear at 9:52 pm. The public can observe the lunar eclipse with either naked eyes or telescopes from east to southeast and in open areas. The super moon tomorrow night will be the largest full moon of this year, and its diameter will be about 7% larger than the usual full moon.

Those who are unable to attend the event in person are also welcomed to watch the live webcast through our Facebook page to track the process of the total lunar eclipse in real time. "Total Lunar Eclipse" Observation Event can be participated without registration. However, some of the arrangements may be canceled or changed due to factors such as weather. Please visit our website (www.msc.org.mo) and pay attention to social media announcements for details.

Knowledge about the total lunar eclipse

The key time for observing the total lunar eclipse in Macao this time are the beginning of the penumbra eclipse (4:48 pm on May 26), the first contact (5:45 pm), the moonrise (6:58 pm), and the second contact (7:11 in the evening), middle of an eclipse (7:19 pm), the third contact (7:26 pm), the last contact (8:52 pm) and the end of the penumbra (9:50 pm). Since the second contact follows the moonrise, the public will have the opportunity to witness the red moon slowly rising from near the sea level.

When the moon, the earth, and the sun are exactly on the same straight line in space, and the earth is between the sun and the moon, the moon will move into the shadow of the earth and it is difficult for the sun to shine on the moon. Looked from the earth, the moon seems to darken partly or completely, so this is known as the "lunar eclipse".

Lunar eclipses can be divided into three types: partial lunar eclipses, penumbra lunar eclipses and total lunar eclipses. Why is there the red moon in the total lunar eclipse? Actually, the red moon is a natural phenomenon. Because the earth is covered with an atmosphere and there are different wavelengths of light in the sunlight, it is difficult for blue light with a shorter wavelength to pass through the atmosphere, while red light with a longer wavelength will continue to be refracted through the atmosphere and illuminate the surface of the moon. Therefore, only the red light is reflected from the surface of the moon, which is the red moon we see.

Science Center Will Host the "Total Lunar Eclipse" Observation Event to Welcome the Simultaneous Appearance of the Total Lunar Eclipse and the Super Moon

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Macao Science Center Limited                                                                                               10-PR-PUB-21

May 25, 2021