Skywatcher Giuseppe Petricca took this image of a "supermoon" total lunar eclipse on Sept. 27, 2015, from Pisa, Italy, about 2 minutes prior to the beginning of the totality phase. The longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century takes place this Friday, July 27. The total phase of the "blood moon" eclipse of July 27 will last 1 hour and 43 minutes, during which Earth's natural satellite will turn a spectacular red or ruddy-brown color. From start to finish, the entire celestial event will last nearly 4 hours. The eclipse won't be visible to viewers in North America, except via webcasts. But observers in much of Africa, the Middle East, southern Asia and the Indian Ocean region will get an eyeful, given cooperative weather, according to lunar scientist Noah Petro, of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. [In Photos: The Rare Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse of 2018] July's total lunar eclipse occurs on the same day the planet Mars reaches its opposition, when it will shine at its best in the night sky. This month, Mars will be at its closest to Earth since 2003. After opposition, when Mars will be brightest, it will reach that closest point on July 31. You can learn more about that event in our dedicated guide here: Mars at Opposition 2018: How to See It and What to Expect What is the Blood Moon of July 27? Unlike with solar eclipses, you need no special equipment to observe lunar eclipses. These latter events, which occur when the moon passes into Earth's shadow, are safe to view directly with the naked eye, telescopes or binoculars. The moon turns deep red or reddish brown during eclipses, instead of going completely dark. That's because some of the sunlight going through Earth's atmosphere is bent around the edge of our planet and falls onto the moon's surface. Earth's air also scatters more shorter-wavelength light (in colors such as green or blue); what's left is the longer-wavelength, redder end of the spectrum. Where and when will it be visible? The timing if this total lunar eclipse means it won't be visible from North America, though much of the Eastern Hemisphere of Earth will see part or all of the eclipse. The entire eclipse will be visible from Africa, the Middle East and countries in central Asia. The eclipse will be visible from eastern South America as it is ending, and from Australia as it is beginning. The time of greatest eclipse will be 4:21 p.m. EDT (2021 GMT) on July 27, according to EarthSky.org. The total eclipse will last from 3:30 p.m. to 5:13 p.m. EDT (1930 to 2113 GMT). There will also be some time before and after when the moon is in the lighter part of Earth's shadow, which is called the penumbra. Including that penumbral time, the eclipse will last for 3 hours and 55 minutes. [Total Lunar Eclipse This Friday: How to Watch Online] On July 27, 2018, a total lunar eclipse will be visible from South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. This NASA chart by eclipse expert Fred Espenak shows details and visibility projections for this “blood moon” eclipse. (Image credit: Fred Espenak/NASA GSFC) Why is it the longest of the century? "What controls the duration of the lunar eclipse is the position of the moon as it passes through the Earth's shadow," Petro told Space.com. The darkest part of Earth's shadow is called the umbra. You can picture the umbra as a cone extending from Earth in the opposite direction to the sun, Petro explained. "The moon can either graze through the cone, or go right through the middle. That [the middle] gets a longer-duration eclipse," he said. "This time, the moon is passing closer to the center of that cone, and it's therefore a little bit longer than the eclipse we had back in January." [Here’s How Friday's Superlong Lunar Eclipse Works] Additionally, the moon will be at a farther point from Earth along its orbit, EarthSky pointed out. That means the moon will appear slightly smaller in the sky and will take a little bit longer to go through Earth's shadow. Petro is also the project scientist for NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which has been orbiting the moon for nine years. It is best-known for obtaining detailed information on water ice and taking high-resolution pictures of spacecraft on the lunar surface. Because LRO is an older probe, most of its components (except for battery warmers and the like) will be turned off during the eclipse, to preserve the solar-powered spacecraft's battery and keep it safe during the greatest part of the eclipse, Petro said. When is the next lunar eclipse? The next total lunar eclipse visible from North America will occur on Jan. 21, 2019. Totality on that day will last 1 hour and 2 minutes, and the eclipse will especially favor viewers on the West Coast. That year will also see a partial eclipse, on July 16, 2019 — the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first moon landing mission, Apollo 11. LRO will likely still be operating then, having passed its 10th anniversary of arriving at the moon on June 23, 2019. Editor's note: If you capture an amazing photo or video of the total lunar eclipse or any other night-sky sight and would like to share it with Space.com for a story or gallery, send images and comments to spacephotos@space.com. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.<doc-sep>Pastor Paul Begley states we are in 'END TIMES' FREE for the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forfor the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Christian conspiracy theorists and doomsday preachers are looking at the celestial bodies for heavenly signs of the end times. On Friday, July 27, the moon will take on a deep red hue during a total lunar eclipse – an event supposedly foretold by the Bible. Planet Mars will be the closest it has to Earth in 15 years on the same night and end time preachers are making bizarre claims about the coincidence. According to US pastor Paul Begley, the combination of Mars at opposition and the Blood Moon is a direct sign from up above. The Indiana-based Christian preacher said: “Is this a sign of chaos? Is this a sign of war? “Is this a sign of an apocalyptic conclusion of the word of God of the last days? No. “July 27 is not the end of the world. I repeat it’s not the end of the world but certainly, the Bible says there will be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars.” Instead, the pastor argued we are living in the end times and something of Biblical proportions is happening before the second coming of Jesus Christ. Blood Moon 2018: Doomsday preachers are claiming the world is coming to an end Blood Moon 2018: Pastor Paul Begley thinks we are living in the end times The doomsday preacher claimed the ongoing eruption of Hawaii volcano Kilauea, a raging dust storm on Mars and the Blood Moon are signs of the end days nearing. July 27 is not the end of the world Pastor Paul Begley He pointed towards Biblical passages in the book of Joel and the Book of Revelations which mention the moon turning red as a sign from the heavens. He said: “I’m not upset, I’m just telling you if you look at things from a Biblical perspective, in the Bible Jesus said when all of these things are happening ‘then shall they see the son of man coming in a cloud with great power and glory’. “When these things come to pass he said look up, lift up your head your redemption draweth nigh. The Chilling Blood Moon Fri, February 10, 2017 Pictures from around the world of rare astronomical event. The blood moon rises as supermoon and lunar eclipse combine. Play slideshow EPA 1 of 43 Total Lunar Eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon in Vietnam “You can go look at Joel 2, go look at Acts 2, go look at Revelation 6. “Study the scriptures and find out the Blood Moon was prophetically prophesied of the last days. Look at all the signs.” But is there any credibility to the doomsday Blood Moon prophecies? The is no scientific evidence to support the claim either Blood Moon or Mars at opposition are significant in any apocalyptic way. Blood Moon 2018: On the night of the eclipse the full moon will turn red<doc-sep>The longest total lunar eclipse of the century is set to dazzle most of the world, except the U.S., just shy of a year after the 2017 solar eclipse created a path of totality across America. The July 2018 eclipse — which is happening on Friday, July 27 — will last about four hours and be visible across wide swaths of the world including Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, South America and the Middle East. The totality, or when the earth’s shadow covers the moon and creates complete darkness, will last one hour and 43 minutes. While many people will be able to see partial views of the eclipse — which will feature a blood moon and also coincides with spectacular views of Mars — in areas throughout eastern Africa, the Middle East and some parts of Europe and Asia will have some of the best views of the moon turning red and when the totality begins to recede, astronomers tell TIME. Here’s everything you need to know about how to view the July 27 total lunar eclipse including the best times and places to see it and how long it will last. What is a total lunar eclipse? A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth comes between the moon and the sun, causing the earth’s shadow to cover the moon. According to NASA, the moon often turns reddish during totality because the sunlight bending through earth’s atmosphere during sunsets and sunrises are then reflected onto the moon. A total solar eclipse occurs on August 21, 2017, at Mary's River Covered Bridge, in Chester, IL, USA. NurPhoto—NurPhoto via Getty Images The “blood moon” will be a much different view than the 2017 solar eclipse, which darkened the skies for a few minutes as the moon passed in front of the sun. The July 27 total lunar eclipse will also be seen by many more people than last year’s eclipse. Solar eclipses are typically only seen by a small selection of the earth’s population because the shadow cast by the moon is comparatively smaller than that cast by the earth. That means anyone who is on the side of the earth that is experiencing nighttime will be able to see the lunar eclipse whereas a solar eclipse can only be seen by the people who are where the moon’s shadow falls. Because solar eclipses are seen by a much smaller section of the population, and the view of the blocked sun is so breathtaking, they create a lot of fanfare. The January 31 super blue blood moon that occurred earlier this year was also a total lunar eclipse, but it coincided with two other events to make a lunar trifecta. According to NASA, on top of the reddish tint given to the moon from the eclipse, the moon was also very close to earth’s orbit, making it appear larger and brighter. It was also the second full moon of the month, which is referred to as a blue moon. But the upcoming total lunar eclipse on July 27 is also special because of the duration of its totality. According to Dr. Amanda Bosh, a professor of astronomy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the moon will be at its furthest point from earth, called the apogee, during the eclipse. This will cause the moon to move slower than it would if it was closer to earth — so the totality of the eclipse will last for one hour and 43 minutes. The July 27 lunar eclipse is supposed to be the longest in the century. It is only four minutes shorter than the the longest possible lunar eclipse to occur on earth, according to NASA. Is it safe to look at the total lunar eclipse without special glasses? It is perfectly safe to look at a lunar eclipse with just the naked eye. Protective eyewear was recommended during the solar eclipse to protect people’s eyes from the bright light of the sun. But during a lunar eclipse, the glow of the moon has a much less intense brightness than the sun. When is the best time to see the 2018 total lunar eclipse? Dr. Bosh recommends going outside at different times throughout the night on July 27 to catch every stage of the eclipse. Those with the best views will be able to see the lunar eclipse at key moments — when earth’s shadow begins to cover the moon, when the moon turns red, and when the shadow begins to recede, all of which will happen over a period of four hours. Where is the best place to see the 2018 total lunar eclipse? Those lucky enough to see the 2018 lunar eclipse could also be treated to a view of Mars and the Milky Way, which will be to the left of the moon. With the light of the moon blocked by earth’s shadow, it’s the perfect time to view stars and celestial bodies not often seen by the naked eye. Will the U.S. be able to see this lunar eclipse? No, the July 27 total lunar eclipse won’t be visible in the U.S. The next lunar eclipse that can be seen in America will be on January 21, 2019. But while Americans won’t see the blood moon on Friday, they will be able to see Mars, which is currently the closest its been to Earth in the last 15 years. The Red Planet will be much larger and brighter than it usually throughout the weekend. Get our Space Newsletter. Sign up to receive the week's news in space. Please enter a valid email address. * The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. Please attempt to sign up again. Sign Up Now An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. Please try again later. Check the box if you do not wish to receive promotional offers via email from TIME. You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Thank you!<doc-sep>Blood Moon shot by Mike Warner FREE for the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forfor the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. The total lunar eclipse will paint the full moon a deep red to orange hue on the night of Friday, July 27. The astronomical event, which happens at east twice a year, is being touted a Biblical sign of the end times fast approaching. But a team of Dubai-based astronomers have dismissed the bizarre claims and broke down the science behind the lunar spectacle. According to Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri, of the Dubai Astronomy Group, the Blood Moon eclipse is a “very natural astronomical phenomenon”. The astronomer told the Khaleej Times: “People have a misconception about the eclipse. “This lunar eclipse is a very long one, people are being scared. “Lots of people have a bad perception that it's a bad thing. “These kinds of superstitions surround these kinds of phenomenon. Blood Moon 2018 prophecy: Some believe the world is soon coming to an end “We tell everyone that none of this is true, it's a very natural event that can be observed." Earlier this month, Indiana-based Christian Pastor Paul Begley claimed the Blood Moon was foretold by apocalyptic prophecies in the Bible. The doomsday preacher said evidence of the Blood Moon can be found in the Book of Joel, Book of Revelation and Acts Chapter 2. On the night of July 27, the moon will turn blood-red and this is supposedly a heavy sign the end of the world is nearing. The Chilling Blood Moon Fri, February 10, 2017 Pictures from around the world of rare astronomical event. The blood moon rises as supermoon and lunar eclipse combine. Play slideshow EPA 1 of 43 Total Lunar Eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon in Vietnam Pastor Begley said: “Study the scriptures and find out the Blood Moon was prophetically prophesied of the last days. Look at all the signs.” This lunar eclipse is a very long one, people are being scared Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri, Dubai Astronomy Group But Mr Al Hariri had a much more grounded explanation for the Blood Moon eclipse. The space expert said: “The lunar eclipse Is a geometry of three bodies, which makes the white bright moon turn blood-red. “Now, how does it happen? When the sun, earth and moon are aligned, the shadow of earth falls on the moon and we see what we call the lunar eclipse. Blood Moon 2018: The full moon will turn red during the total eclipse Blood Moon 2018: Total lunar eclipses happen twice a year<doc-sep>
NASA explain how a BLOOD MOON occurs Eclipse enthusiasts around the globe are excited to know the Blood Moon lunar eclipse will take place next month on the night of July 27. And the good news is the Blood Moon eclipse will completely outshine every other lunar eclipse for the next 82 years. The eclipse is so special because it will be the longest Blood Moon of the century, clocking in at one hour and 43 minutes. During the eclipse, the moon will dive into Earth’s shadow and take on a deep red hue thanks to sunlight scattered in Earth’s atmosphere, which has earned it the Blood Moon monicker. Stargazers can watch the total Blood Moon eclipse from Eastern Africa and Central Asia and watch a partial eclipse over Western Africa, Eastern Asia and South America. How to watch the Blood Moon Eclipse 2018 in the USA The total lunar eclipse is expected to begin about 3.30pm EDT and last until about 5.13pm EDT. The Blood Moon will be also partially eclipsed for about an hour just before and after the main event takes place, meaning it will last about four hours from start to finish. But the bad news is the eclipse will not be visible from the United States and Northern America this year. Astronomer Bruce McClure of EarthSky.org, said: “This lunar eclipse is primarily visible from the world’s Eastern Hemisphere. “South America, at least in part, can watch the final stages of the eclipse just after sunset July 27, whereas New Zealand will catch the beginning stages of the eclipse before sunrise July 28. Eclipse 2018: The Blood Moon will rise on the night of July 27 next month Eclipse 2018: The total lunar eclipse will make the full moon turn red “North America, most of the Arctic and much of the Pacific Ocean will miss out entirely.” The only hope left for stargazers is to seek out online broadcasts of the lunar eclipse on the night. Robotic telescope service Slooh live streamed the January 31 Super Blue Blood Moon lunar eclipse and will likely announce a Blood Moon eclipse stream closer to the day. Space agency NASA also chimed in with its own live broadcast of the event on NASA TV and could do a repeat on July 27. You can also follow Express.co.uk on the night of the Blood Moon eclipse for the latest eclipse stories and Blood Moon live streams. The Chilling Blood Moon Fri, February 10, 2017 Pictures from around the world of rare astronomical event. The blood moon rises as supermoon and lunar eclipse combine. Play slideshow EPA 1 of 43 Total Lunar Eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon in Vietnam How to watch the Blood Moon Eclipse 2018 in the UK According to Affelia Wibisono, an astronomer at Royal Observatory Greenwich, the July full moon will already peak over the horizon in Earth’s shadow on the night. It is the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st century Affelia Wibisono, Royal Observatory Greenwich This means the eclipse will begin from the moment the moon rises, which in the case of London will happen at about 8.50pm BST. The astronomer told Express.co.uk the moon will look really big, red, and hang close to the horizon. She said: “It will be visible all over the country which is nice to see and I believe it is the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st century.” The eclipse will begin in the eastern skies and by about 12.30am BST the moon will have sailed high up to the southern skies. Eclipse 2018: In the UK the Blood Moon will peak over the horizon in Earth's shadow Eclipse 2018: The Blood Moon eclipse will not be visible in the US