Lunar occurs. Moon phases and eclipses

  Is this a bad omen?

Lunar eclipses instilled real panic in ancient people. Entire generations of people considered lunar eclipses a bad omen, until a person mastered science and some of the laws of cosmic and universal proportions. It was believed that the burgundy color of the moon is the approach of war, blood, death. Fortunately, science was able to remove the veil of mystery from this phenomenon, and all supernatural ideas about lunar eclipses have sunk into oblivion.

When do lunar eclipses occur?

They arise at a certain time, but only when the full moon comes. At this time, the night star begins to pass away from the Earth, opposite the Sun. Here the moon can fall into the shadow cast by the earth at this time. That's when people can watch.

How do lunar eclipses occur?

They do not happen like the sun. The fact is that the Moon does not disappear completely, as the Sun does during a solar eclipse. The moon is only slightly visible. This happens for the following reason: part of the sun's rays, passing through the earth’s atmosphere, is refracted in it and enters into the earth’s shadow, falling directly on the moon. It is known that air transmits red rays of light, which is why the night star becomes brown or copper-red.

It is known that the diameter of the Earth is more than 4 times the diameter of the moon. Accordingly, the shadow from the Earth is 2.5 times larger than the Moon. All this leads to the fact that the night luminary can sometimes entirely enter the earth's shadow, which causes a complete lunar eclipse. Scientists calculated and concluded that total lunar eclipses are the longest than total solar eclipses, and can last up to 1 hour 40 minutes!

According to astronomers, up to three lunar ones can occur in one year. It is worth noting that they are repeated exactly after the same period of time as the solar eclipses, which is equal to 18 years, 11 days and 8 hours. Scientists even gave a name to this period: saros (repetition). It is curious that saros was calculated in antiquity, so it is not difficult to calculate and predict the exact day. But to predict the exact time of its onset, as well as the conditions for its visibility, is a more complicated task: different generations of astronomers have been studying the motion of the Moon and the Earth for centuries to solve this problem. Currently, possible errors in calculating the moments of the onset of lunar eclipses do not exceed 4 seconds!

A lunar eclipse is observed when the Earth’s satellite enters the shadow that our planet casts from the Sun, that is, the Earth in this case is between the star and the moon. Moreover, the moon can only partially fall into the shadow, and can be completely covered by it, therefore, there are partial and total eclipses. Each year, two or more lunar eclipses with different phases can be observed.

Instruction manual

When the Sun shines on the Earth, on the other side of the planet a cone of dense shadow is formed, surrounded by partial shade. If the Moon at this moment partially or completely enters this cone, a lunar eclipse will be observed from the surface of the planet from the side where our satellite is visible. It does not look as impressive as the sun, but it is easier to observe. The brightly lit moon slowly begins to become covered, but remains visible due to the sun's rays scattered in the Earth’s atmosphere, which illuminate its surface with a reddish light. An eclipse may last longer, the moon gradually emerges from the shadow and is again illuminated by the sun. If the eclipse is partial, then only part of the satellite becomes dark. In some cases, the moon does not enter the full shadow, but remains in partial shade - the eclipse is called partial shade.

On average, 2-3 lunar eclipses occur every year, but in some years this phenomenon is not observed at all, and in other years you can see 4 or even 5 lunar eclipses. The number of eclipses varies from year to year with a certain frequency, which is repeated every 18 years and 11 days. This gap is called saros or the draconian period. During this period, 29 lunar eclipses occur - 12 less than solar ones. Two thirds of all eclipses are partial, one third are total.

In order for an eclipse to occur, it does not matter, lunar or solar, and the Moon, and the Sun, and the Earth must be on the same line. So, during a solar eclipse, the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, and it, as if, hides the Sun from sight, closes it. But during a lunar eclipse, the Moon closes already with the shadow of the Earth, which is cast off from the planet illuminated by the Sun.

There are full, partial and partial shadow moon eclipses. With a total lunar eclipse, the Moon completely “closes” the Earth’s shadow, with a partial eclipse, the Moon only sinks into the shadow by half, and the maximum possible blackout is half the moon’s disk. And with a penumbra eclipse, the moon only passes through the penumbra of the Earth. Lunar eclipses occur only with the full moon. But the full moon happens every month, however, for some reason, we do not notice such frequent lunar eclipses. What is the reason for this? But with what: in order for such a friendly company in the person of the Sun, Moon and Earth to please us with lunar eclipses every night with the participation of the full Moon, they must be “friends” in a completely different way. And here is what this “friendship” should look like: The moon should revolve around the earth in the same plane as the earth revolves around the sun. But this does not happen, because the plane of the lunar orbit is slightly, very slightly, inclined with respect to the plane of revolution of the Earth around the Sun (scientifically, this plane is called the ecliptic plane). Thus, it turns out that an eclipse occurs only when the moon is located near the nodes of its own orbit. The length of the lunar eclipse phase is determined by how close the eclipse is to the lunar node. So, the closer it is to it, the longer the phase will be. Since during the eclipse, the Moon is closed by the shadow of the Earth, then, according to the logic of things, it should completely disappear from view. However, as we know, this never happens. And all because the earth’s atmosphere simply scatters the rays of the sun, and they, in turn, fall on the moon darkened by the earth’s shadow. Most often, the darkened moon has a reddish color. This is due to the fact that red and orange rays best pass through the atmosphere of our planet.

It was a brief digression into the basics of astronomy and a lunar eclipse. But we still did not answer how often a phenomenon such as a lunar eclipse occurs. More precisely, they answered, but highlighted some of this phenomenon. That is, now we know that a lunar eclipse is possible only with a full moon. But it’s not clear how many times, for example, there are lunar eclipses per year? But even ancient astronomers calculated the frequency of lunar eclipses per year. So, they deduced such a concept as “saros”. Saros lasts exactly 18 years, 11 days and 8 hours. And during this time period there are 43 solar and 28 lunar eclipses. Thus, at least two lunar eclipses are possible in a year, sometimes the number of eclipses increases by one more, and sometimes there are years, in general, without eclipses. But this frequency of lunar eclipses is designed for the entire Earth. And if we consider individual regions of the globe, then their frequency will be unequal. In certain places, eclipses will be visible more often than in others.

In the end, I would like to note that both the lunar and solar eclipse are the most beautiful phenomena that nature has endowed us with. And this is quite a common occurrence, but it may seem to us that they happen no more than once a decade, just then in the media we are informed of another major eclipse.

TASS DOSSIER. On January 31, 2018, from 3:51 p.m. to 5:08 p.m. Moscow time, a total lunar eclipse can be observed practically throughout the entire territory of Russia, except for the western and southwestern regions. The moon will be in the earth's shadow for about 77 minutes. In this case, the eclipse will coincide with the super moon - this is the name of the periods when a natural satellite is as close to the Earth as possible. Among other things, it will also be the “blue” Moon, that is, the second full moon per calendar month (the first was January 2). The coincidence of three events at once - the "blue" moon, super moon, eclipse - is a rare occurrence, the last time this happened in 1866.

All phases of this astronomical phenomenon will be able to see the inhabitants of Siberia and the Far East. In Moscow, the "bloody" super moon will rise above the horizon after 17:00. However, the forecasted cloudiness for this day will prevent Muscovites and guests of the capital from seeing the final phase of the eclipse. A lunar eclipse will also be seen from Eastern Europe, East Africa, Asia, Australia, the Pacific, and North America. The editorial board of TASS-DOSSIER prepared a material on lunar eclipses.

Lunar eclipses

Lunar eclipses occur only at the full moon, when the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, blocking its only satellite from sunlight. There are full (the so-called bloody moon), partial (partial) and penumbral lunar eclipses. In the first case, the Moon is completely in the shadow of the Earth, in the second - partially, in the third - the moon is covered only by a partial shade from the Earth.

The most spectacular are full and partial lunar eclipses, although the moon does not cease to be visible - the sun's rays that have passed through the earth’s atmosphere continue to fall on it. The moon darkens completely or partially, acquires a color from orange-red to red-brown (the Earth’s atmosphere is the most transparent for this part of the spectrum). During a penumbra eclipse, the disk of the Earth’s satellite only darkens slightly.

You can observe lunar eclipses throughout the earth’s hemisphere, where at that moment the moon is above the horizon. This is their difference from solar eclipses, which are usually visible from a small area of \u200b\u200bthe Earth.

Lunar eclipses last, on average, two hours. In this case, the color change of the moon occurs almost imperceptibly for the observer.

Story

Chaldean astronomers learned to predict lunar eclipses several centuries BC. e. They also discovered the so-called dragon period (about 6585 days, another name - saros) - a cycle after which lunar and solar eclipses are repeated. One of the first reliable references to the observation of the lunar eclipse is contained in the ancient Chinese annals and dates back to 1137 BC. e.

The total lunar eclipse of March 1, 1504 is famous. Then the navigator, discoverer of America, Christopher Columbus, knowing in advance about the upcoming phenomenon, was able to successfully take advantage of this. During his fourth and final journey, his caravels fell into a severe storm and were forced to rise on the northern coast of Jamaica in the summer of 1503, waiting for help from Spain. Initially, Columbus was able to establish supplies for his expedition with food, exchanging it with the Indians for trinkets brought from Europe. However, at the beginning of the winter of 1504, the natives began to bring less food. Knowing that an eclipse would soon take place, Columbus called the leaders (cacique) of the Indians and announced to them that the Spanish god was angry and was going to take the moon from the inhabitants of Jamaica. When the Moon darkened at the time predicted by him, and then turned dark red, the Indians asked for mercy and after that generously supplied the expedition with food until it returned to Spain in June 1504.

In the 19th century, catalogs of lunar and solar eclipses for long periods were published: in 1856 - “Tables of the time indications of solar and lunar eclipses from 1840 to 2001” by the Russian amateur astronomer Fedor Semenov, in 1887 - “The canon of eclipses” (from 1207 BC until 2163) by the Austrian astronomer Theodor Oppocelzer. Currently, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has information on the date, time, and location of each eclipse from 2000 BC. e. until the year 3000.

Periodicity

Every year, on average, two to four lunar eclipses occur. It happens five a year, but very rarely. The last time this happened in 1879 (four penumbra and one private). The next five lunar eclipses on Earth can be seen only in 2132 (one particular and four partial shadows).

The previous total eclipse of the moon was observed by the inhabitants of the Earth on September 28, 2015. In 2016 there were two lunar eclipses: March 23 and September 16 - all penumbra. In 2017 - two: February 11, partial shade, and August 7 - private.

In 2018, there will be only two lunar eclipses - both complete. The first will take place on January 31. The next - July 27 - will be the longest in the XXI century - 103 minutes. The hundred-minute total eclipses of the moon are on average five times per century. Over the past two hundred years (since 1901), the eclipse of July 16, 2000, which lasted 106.5 minutes, was a record.

Immediately four lunar eclipses can be observed in 2020, but all of them will be penumbral. The previous similar case was in 2009 (three penumbra and one private), it was also the first in the XXI century.

Instruction manual

As you know, the moon is the only natural satellite of the earth. In the earth's horizon, it is the brightest object after the Sun. In its orbit in the Moon, at different time periods, it appears between our planet and the Sun, then on the other side of the Earth. The Earth is constantly illuminated by the Sun and casts a cone-shaped shadow into outer space, whose diameter at a minimum distance to the Moon is 2.5 times its diameter.

The plane of the moon’s orbit is located at an angle of about 5 ° to the plane of the ecliptic.
If we take into account the precession of the Earth’s axis and the plane of the lunar orbit and take into account the perturbations caused by the Sun and other planets of the Solar system, it becomes clear that the movement of the Moon in orbit periodically changes.

At some points in time, the Sun, the Earth and the Moon can appear on one or almost on one straight line, and the earth shadow will partially or completely cover the Moon. Such an astronomical event is called a lunar eclipse. If the lunar disk is completely immersed in the shadow of the earth, a total lunar eclipse occurs. With partial immersion, a partial eclipse is observed. The total eclipse phase may not occur at all.

Even with a total eclipse, the lunar disk is visible in the sky. The moon is illuminated by the sun's rays passing tangentially to the earth's surface. Earth's atmosphere is most permeable to the rays of the red-orange spectrum. Therefore, during an eclipse, the lunar disk becomes dark red and not so bright. In 2014 there will be 2 total lunar eclipses - April 15 and October 8. It is clear that an eclipse can be observed only in that part of the globe where the moon, at the time it passes the shadow region, is above the horizon. The maximum duration of a total lunar eclipse is 108 minutes.

With a partial eclipse, the earth's shadow covers only part of the lunar disk. From the Earth, the observer will see the boundary between the illuminated and shaded parts of the Moon, somewhat diffuse due to the scattering of light by the atmosphere. Shaded areas take on a reddish hue.

As you know, light rays are able to go around obstacles. This phenomenon is called diffraction. Thus, around the cone of full shadow in space there is a partially illuminated area - partial shade. Direct sunlight does not penetrate there. If the moon passes through this area, a penumbra eclipse is observed. The brightness of its glow decreases slightly. As a rule, an eclipse cannot even be noticed without special instruments. For astronomers, penumbra eclipses are of no interest.

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The lunar eclipse on January 31, 2018 occurs at 11 degrees Leo. It is complete, since the shadow of the Earth completely covers the visible part of the surface of the moon. During a total lunar eclipse, our satellite darkens and acquires a crimson-red color, which is why these celestial phenomena were called the “bloody moon”.

It will be seen in Asia, Australia, Europe, Russia, North America. In Moscow, it can also be observed, if weather permits, but only the final phases, astro101.ru reports.

The beginning of the lunar eclipse on January 31, 2018 at 10:51 UTC (GMT) or at 13:51 Moscow time (MSK);

The maximum phase is at 13:29 UTC or at 16:29 Moscow time;

Ending at 16:08 UTC or at 19:08 Moscow time

The effect of the lunar eclipse January 31, 2018

The continuation of a series of eclipses on the axis Leo - Aquarius, which began with the eclipse of the moon on August 7, 2017. The main topics of the January eclipse are love and creativity, because this is what Leo is associated with in astrology.

The Full Moon in Leo confronts the Sun in Aquarius in conjunction with Venus, which emphasizes relationships. The axis of the eclipse makes a square with Jupiter in Scorpio, which means that love and money are interconnected. Although the aspect is negative, Jupiter is a beneficent planet, so one can hope for the positive effects of such a planetary interaction.

It is a particularly powerful full moon, the full moon acts as a searchlight, illuminating the hidden in the shade. This applies not only to external circumstances, but also to self. Most likely, unresolved problems will remind themselves within two weeks before or after January 31, 2018. Many astrologers say that the consequences of the eclipse last about six months.

Most of all, its effect will be displayed on the representatives of the fixed signs of the zodiac: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius. If in your natal chart personal planets and important points (the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Ascendant, MC) are located in fixed signs in degrees from 6th to 16th, you will also feel its influence.

On days of a lunar eclipse, emotions intensify, and often there is some kind of drama. The moon in Leo makes expressions of feelings very demonstrative, sometimes even theatrical - these are the properties of this sign. Pay attention to what happens on days close to this date. Perhaps events will happen that will help to better understand what needs to be done and what needs to be changed.

The value of the eclipse in Leo in terms of astrology

The polarity of the zodiac signs in which the moon and the sun are located is shown. Polarity Leo - Aquarius deals with a balance between that which is personal (Leo) and that which is impersonal (Aquarius). Leo's energy is a manifestation of individuality through creative self-expression and love, while Aquarius controls groups, more impersonal friendships and objectivity. You need to find a balance between love and friendship, as well as between a personal and impersonal expression of yourself.

With the eclipse in Leo, we feel more creative and inspired, immediately there is a desire to be more affectionate, loving and generous. Perhaps special attention will be paid to the world of entertainment, performers, artists or something like that. If you want to focus on your uniqueness, then a good time comes. Try to take a chance and show yourself in a new environment, because with the support of the moon in Leo, it is easier to reveal new talents.

Love and relationships are also a priority. Relations with people with a strong spiritual and emotional connection will be strengthened. But if the relationship has already exhausted itself, it can fall apart. If you feel stagnation and monotony in your personal life, be prepared for unexpected plot twists. A terrific event can happen that will wake you up and push you to decide on a refreshing change.

On such a day, it is easy to free oneself from the past, because lunar eclipses draw a line and deal with the end of something. Meditation will be helpful, it will help ease the burden of negative memories. Use this time to look inside yourself, uncover subconscious fears and understand what bothers you. Awareness will help to get rid of a heavy load, so that you can move on light. It is good to meditate with stones that are associated with the sign of Leo: pomegranate, ruby, amber, citrine, chrysolite.