Red moon eclipses are very interesting phenomena that occur from time to time and are not always visible from everywhere. At the end of November 2021, there will be a blood moon eclipse that will turn said body red. Find out what it means and when this spectacular lunar phenomenon will begin, which will be the longest seen so far.
What is the meaning of the blood moon?
The blood moon, or red moon as it is also known, is a phenomenon that occurs during an eclipse.. In other words, it occurs when the planet Earth interferes between the sun and the moon, an action that leaves the latter hidden in the shadows.
Nevertheless, since ancient times the blood moon meaning has been linked to the esoteric and mystical world. Especially for the Jews whose phenomenon is part of their history and the Mayan culture where its meaning is very important.
In the case of the Jews, the blood moon was present in three events that marked their history. One took place in the year 1493, during the massacre of Jews carried out by Tomás de Torquemada. There was also a blood moon in 1948 around the time of Israel’s declaration of independence.
Likewise, while the well-known Six-Day War was taking place in 1967. In all these events, millions of Jews died, so the blood moon means a lot to this people.
For the Mayans, the meaning of the blood moon symbolized the closing of a cycle and the passing of the next.. A great teacher is in charge of announcing the new path of liberation, just as Christ or Buddha himself did at the time. The Mayans believe that the blood moon opens the doors to a new spiritual being whose goal is to help all of humanity. All this so that they can achieve evolution and can expand their consciousness.
When is the 2021 blood moon eclipse?
During the early hours of next Friday, November 19, a partial lunar eclipse will take place from different countries, including Argentina. At the beginning of the eclipse, the moon will be almost completely covered, 97.4%. In addition, it will be the longest event of this type that has occurred in this century, with more than three hours of duration.
Many people are very interested in this type of event, the blood moon, how often it occurs, when it is and what it means. And during this month you will be able to enjoy in all its splendor this incredible event that does not occur very often. In fact, experts say that the next blood moon will occur in 2033, which is a long time.
The red lunar eclipse will take place between the night of Thursday the 18th and the early morning of Friday the 19th of November. This will occur when the moon is covered with almost 98% of the shadow of planet Earth. Three hours, twenty-eight minutes and twenty-three seconds, will be the exact duration of the blood moon. This is in response to people who are looking forward to this amazing event and wondering if they will be able to see the blood moon when it is.
Now, regarding how long this incredible lunar phenomenon lasts, in Argentina the red moon eclipse will begin at 04:19. However, it will peak at 06:03 and culminate at 09:04. Being an event of great importance for lovers of eclipses, blood moon meaning and everything related to it.
From where can the blood moon be seen?
According to information distributed by NASA, the blood moon will be visible from a large swath of the planet. Among the lucky regions are East Asia, North America and also South America, Australia and a part of the Pacific.
For places where the eclipse cannot be observed due to different circumstances, NASA reported that they will carry out a totally live transmission. This will be possible through various platforms such as YouTube so that users around the world can enjoy this incredible phenomenon in detail.
Why does the moon turn red during an eclipse?
On November 19, the moon will begin a long journey through the shadow of planet Earth until it covers 97.4% of the first. During this process, only light will reach the moon’s surface, but it will filter through Earth’s atmosphere first.
Short-wavelength blue light from the sun collides with molecules in Earth’s atmosphere and then dissipates. However, the longer red and orange light can travel through them without colliding as much as the previous one. As a result, the color that becomes dominant and will be reflected in the blood moon is red. This will disperse once the lunar eclipse ends and everything returns to normal.
This physical event is quite similar to what occurs during sunrise and also sunset. What’s more, in a lunar eclipse, the effects can be compared to thousands of sunrises and sunsets. All of these projected directly onto the surface of the moon.
However, the moon will not enter entirely within the shadow of the Earth, since 2.6% will be exempt. That is, a small percentage will remain illuminated by sunlight, while 97.4% will turn a red color, being the main characteristic of the blood moon.
Why will it be the longest red moon eclipse of the 21st century?
With a duration of three hours and twenty-eight minutes, the lunar eclipse of November 19, 2021 is the longest of the 21st century. In fact, NASA has indicated that among all the eclipses between the years 2001 and 2100, the one in the next few days will be the longest. So you have to be attentive to the information announced by NASA about the blood moon every time it happens.
Likewise, NASA indicates that the reason behind the long duration of the next eclipse is due to the fact that it is the “beaver moon”. Which means that so far it is the full moon with the smallest dimensions of the entire year. Due to its small size, the distance of this moon will be farther than average moons.
It must be borne in mind that the moon has an elliptical orbit where each month it must reach a near and a distant point. The first is known as a “supermoon” or perigee and the second is called an apogee. During the month of November it will be the apogee with the greatest distance from the moon, approximately 1.7 days after the culmination of the eclipse.
Due to the long distance, the shadow of the planet Earth will be wider, which means that the moon will take longer to cross it. For this reason, it is considered a deeper lunar eclipse than usual and therefore will be the longest of the century.
What does it take to see the blood moon?
Unlike what usually happens during solar eclipses where implements such as glasses are needed to be able to appreciate it, in this one it will not be necessary. To see the blood moon, it is not necessary to use protective glasses or high-end telescopes to enjoy the spectacle.
NASA indicates that you only have to know the exact date on which this phenomenon will begin and wait patiently for it. It is best appreciated when the night is completely clear and light pollution is not so high. For this reason, it is recommended to look for clear places like mountains, far from cities full of pollution. In this way, all you have to do is look up to enjoy the blood moon in all its glory.
Knowing about the meaning of the blood moon, why it occurs and when it is, is essential to keep up to date on these topics. In addition, it is an unusual event, since it will be the longest of the century. If you are interested in knowing more about the blood moon every time it occurs, then you cannot miss it next Friday, November 19.
Lunar eclipses are events that can be enjoyed by the whole family, some even camp to better observe them. This is one of the ways to not miss any detail of how beautiful they can be.
Sources: forbesargentina, clarion and meaning.