Mallorca lunar eclipse: moon turns brick red at dawn

Mallorca’s western side is set for a red dawn on Friday, 28 August, as a partial lunar eclipse begins from 4.30am. The moon is expected to take on a pinkish or reddish shade from about 5.30am, with the key moment forecast around 6.15am. On Mallorca, the Serra de Tramuntana is expected to offer the clearest view.

A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth’s shadow falls across the moon. In this case, it will cover 93 per cent of the moon, so it will not be a total eclipse. Salvador Sánchez, president of the Mallorca Astronomy and Astronautics Foundation, said the effect will be very slight at first before the moon turns a brick-red colour.

Sánchez placed the maximum at around 6.30am, when the moon will stand 15 degrees above the horizon. The eclipse should also be clearly visible on the other Balearic Islands because the moon will be high enough, although some villages on the eastern slopes of the Serra de Tramuntana may have a more limited view.

Avoid high ground in the dark

Sánchez warned people not to follow calls by amateur astronomers to watch the eclipse from high places. Darkness will make it harder to see the ground, creating a risk at such locations.

No special glasses are needed for a lunar eclipse. Sunglasses should be enough if the moon is dazzling, he said. With many people still on holiday, Sánchez expects a large turnout and hopes photographs taken over the sea will appear the following day. Those without a camera can use a mobile phone tripod or even a sports shoe as a support for pictures.

Topics: Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com