Longest lunar eclipse to happen this weekend;Uganda one of best destinations to watch it from

The longest lunar eclipse of the century (so far) will take place across Friday night and Saturday morning as the moon is totally eclipsed by the Earth for one hour and 43 minutes. In Uganda, It is estimated to begin at 08:14pm to 11: 21pm Kampala being the best location to watch it from. During this time, people around the world will be able to see a “blood moon”, as the Earth’s satellite turns red.

A “blood moon” is a name given to the moon during a lunar eclipse. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting the moon into shadow.

Unlike with a solar eclipse, when the moon passes between the Earth and sun, blocking the sun’s light, the moon is not “turned dark” during an eclipse, but instead appears to turn red.

Lunar eclipses are less common than solar eclipses, with a maximum of three occurring in any given location per year, though some years there can be none. However, each lunar eclipse is visible from more than half the Earth.

If this eclipse is rare, it is because it will last for so long. The moon will be in the Earth’s shadow for four hours and totally eclipsed for one hour and 43 minutes, which is just short of the theoretical limit of a lunar eclipse (one hour and 47 minutes). The eclipse will last for so long on Friday night because the moon will be passing through the center of the Earth’s shadow.

The best view of the eclipse will be from East Africa, the Middle East, across to India and the westernmost tip of China. But there still be reasonable views for people in the rest of Africa, Europe, other parts of Asia, Australia and the eastern tip of South America.

In East Africa, the partial eclipse will begin at 9:30pm EAT, with the moon completely red between 10:30pm and 12:13am. This region will have one of the best views of the eclipse.

Tips for watching the blood moon “The best place to see it is out in the country away from lights,” said Tinney. “If you’re living in a city then there’s a lot of light pollution from the night sky, so the contrast between the moon and the sky won’t be as great.” It is safe to look at the moon during an eclipse.

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