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Witness the breathtaking partial lunar eclipse in Spain this week
On Wednesday September 18, the eclipse will coincide with the stunning Harvest Supermoon in Spain
One of the most amazing and fascinating phenomena that we can observe in the sky are eclipses. Since ancient times, these events have attracted the attention of all civilizations, and Spain is in for yet another rare and spectacular celestial event this week.
On Wednesday September 18, a partial lunar eclipse will coincide with the Harvest Supermoon, creating a breathtaking sight in the night sky.
This phenomenon is a must-see for astronomy enthusiasts and anyone who loves gazing at the stars.
What is a partial lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon align in a straight line, with the Earth in the middle blocking out sunlight. During a partial lunar eclipse, only a part of the Moon enters the Earth's umbra, creating a partial shadow on the lunar surface.
At that moment, the Moon takes on a reddish colour, which is why these eclipses are known as "blood moons”. This phenomenon can be observed from half the planet.
Lunar eclipses were seen in ancient times as supernatural events and were often associated with bad omens or the wrath of the gods. In many cultures, lunar eclipses inspired great fear.
The belief that the cycle of nature and the sky was being altered made them believe that eclipses were omens of wars, famines or other tragic events.
When and where to see the eclipse
The partial lunar eclipse will be visible throughout Spain, weather conditions permitting, and can also be observed from other regions such as Europe, Africa, America and part of Asia.
The eclipse will begin at 4.14am and end at 5.16am, reaching its peak at 4.44am (Spanish peninsular time).
What to expect
This will be a low-magnitude partial eclipse, with only 8% of the lunar surface covered by the Earth's shadow.
However, the coincidence with the full moon, known as the Harvest Moon, will make it an interesting spectacle for astronomy enthusiasts. The eclipse will be possible to observe with the naked eye from any location without light pollution.
This eclipse is the second of two lunar eclipses that will occur in 2024 and marks the last partial lunar eclipse of Saros cycle 118, making it an astronomical event of special significance.
If you are not lucky enough to be in a good location to observe the eclipse, NASA will be broadcasting it live from the United States, Spain and Italy.
Image: Unsplash
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