In a collaboration between the University of Malta’s Institute of Space Sciences and Astronomy, the Department of Physics, and the Astronomical Society of Malta, as well as Esplora and Heritage Malta, the public will have the opportunity to observe the total lunar eclipse with the naked eye from Fort St Elmo.
A number of telescopes will be set up on site, so those attending can also the eclipsed moon better. In addition, the planet Mars will also be easily visible in the night sky on the day, as the red planet will be close to opposition – the closest point to Earth in its orbit around the Sun. Attendees will also be able to see Mars through telescopes on site. There will be a number of astronomy-related activities intended for children, on site.
A number of telescopes will be set up on site, so those attending can also the eclipsed moon better. In addition, the planet Mars will also be easily visible in the night sky on the day, as the red planet will be close to opposition – the closest point to Earth in its orbit around the Sun. Attendees will also be able to see Mars through telescopes on site. There will be a number of astronomy-related activities intended for children, on site.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth eclipses the Sun from the Moon’s point of view. As a result, the Moon is seen to darken as it enters the Earth’s shadow during its orbit around our planet. When the Sun-Earth-Moon alignment is precise, viewers on the night side of our planet will see the Moon darken as it enters the Earth’s penumbra and umbra, until the entire Moon is completely in shadow. This will result in the Moon obtaining a characteristic reddish hue, which is why total lunar eclipses are sometimes also referred to informally as blood moons.
Since lunar eclipses only occur when the Moon is directly in line with the Sun and Earth during its full phase, they are understandably not very common. The last total lunar eclipse visible from Malta occurred on 28 September 2015.
This year, the eclipse will occur on Friday 27 July, with the partial eclipse phase starting at 20:24 local time and the total phase starting at 21:30 local time. Activities will be set up by ESPLORA from 20:00 till 22.30.
Total Lunar Eclipse
Friday 27 July
20:00 - 00.30
Place: Fort Saint Elmo, Valletta
FREE entrance