Singapore’s Longest Lunar Eclipse of the Century—A Must-See for Space Lovers
On Saturday, July 28, astronomy fans in Singapore will experience the longest total lunar eclipse of the entire 2000‑year span. The event kicks off at 3:30 am and will last a whopping 1 hour and 43 minutes.
What makes this night extra special? It lines up perfectly with Mars’ opposite‑side date—the planet’s final appearance opposite the sun from our perspective. Mars will be at its nearest distance to Earth since 2003, lighting up the sky as a bright, reddish “star” right beside the glowing Moon.
1. Why It’s a Lunar Eclipse
A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth swings directly between the Sun and the Moon. Think of the Earth as a giant shadow‑thrower, covering the Moon—just like a cloak slipping over a stage. This only occurs during a full moon because the Sun and Moon need to line up almost perfectly.
When the Earth’s shadow swallows the entire Moon, it’s a total lunar eclipse, giving the Moon a grapeshot‑sized crimson hue. During a partial eclipse, only part of the Moon is bruised.
2. The Overlap With Mars
- At 3:30 am on July 28, Mars will be a bright, red neighbor in the night sky.
- Its closest approach since 2003 amps up the show—watch it dance close to the Moon before the eclipse fully settles in.
3. Where and How to Catch It
A lunar eclipse is a global event, visible from every night‑side locale on Earth. In Singapore, you can spot it from anywhere with a clear southern sky. Whether you’re on a balcony, a rooftop, or a late‑night beach stroll, the sky turns into a dramatic backdrop.
Curious About the Science?
Key points:
- Only full moons can bring lunar eclipses.
- Earth’s shadow takes out the Sun’s light; the Moon glows red from scattered sunlight.
- Solar eclipses are the cousins that only a few places can view.
So grab a blanket, find your favorite spot, and let the celestial show begin! And don’t forget to look skyward for that extra pop of Mars right beside the shining, eclipsed Moon—nature’s own fireworks show.
What Happens When the Moon Goes Dark a.k.a. Lunar Eclipse Magic
Ever stared up at a murky moon and wondered why it seems to turn into a saucer‑shaped fruit bowl? Let’s break down the science‑story in plain English, sprinkle in a dash of humor, and keep it all glued together with simple ‑friendly HTML.
Penumbral Phase – The “Mysterious Shadow”
- At first, only the outer rim of Earth’s shadow kisses the Moon. Think of it as a faint blackout that feels like the crush of a feather on the Moon’s surface.
- From the ground, it looks like a subtle sully or a mild, slightly grayish‑tinted filter across the Moon.
Partial Eclipse – When the Earth’s Dark Bite Shows Up
- Now the earth’s umbra (the deep, darker shadow) starts seizing a chunk of the Moon. It’s like a prankster who’s taken a bite out of your favorite pie.
- When the bite grows, a reddish‑burnt hue creeps in – that’s the first hint that the Moon is about to go full “turned‑up‑on‑red”.
Totality – The Deep‑Red Spectacle
- When the Moon’s entire face is locked inside Earth’s umbra, the light that reaches it is fully filtered.
- All that remains is a broad, coppery crimson glow – the classic “blood moon” look that has captivated poets and night‑watchers for centuries.
We love the phrase “blood moon”, but the science behind it is pure optical wizardry. The Sun’s light hits Earth’s atmosphere, and the lighter yellows and blues scatter away like summer party confetti, leaving only the warm reds and oranges to illuminate our silver satellite.
Moons – The Name‑Game One Can’t Ignore
Red or Blood Moon
Why does the Moon look like it’s been drenched in wine? Because of Rayleigh scattering, the same trick that makes sunsets blush. The atmosphere works as a prism: smaller particles in the air scatter the shorter (blue) wavelengths, and the longer (red) wavelengths sneak through to light up the Moon.
Blue Moon
- Most people know the “second full moon in a month” meme. Even though you rarely see a genuinely blue Moon, the term has two meanings:
- It can be the rare actual blue aurora‑like shimmer caused by tiny particles (≈900 nm) that scatter red light away, giving the sky a blue tint after forest fires or volcanic eruptions.
- Or it’s simply a quirky term for the “lucky” extra full Moon that shows up in a three‑full‑Moon month.
Black Moon
The “black Moon” comes in two flavors. One follows the second new Moon in a month, when the Moon is utterly invisible like a stealthy ninja. The other is a month that’s short enough that there are no new Moons or full Moons the whole time – such magic happens only in February, thanks to its 28‑day rhythm.
Supermoon – The Oversized Moon
When the Moon is at its closest point to Earth, it appears a bit bigger and brighter than usual. Astronomers call this a supermoon, and it’s like the Moon’s personal highlight reel.
So next time you see the Moon pivot from dim gray to fiery red, remember those cheeky names – red, blue, black, and supermoon – and the savvy science that turns a nightly spectacle into a celestial performance you can’t help but admire.
Supermoon & Micromoon: The Moon’s Mood Swings
Picture a jet barreling past a giant, glowing eye in the sky – that’s the scene when a supermoon brushes by a bustling London at the start of 2018. But what makes a moon feel “super” or “micromoon” isn’t about fashion; it’s all about how close it is to us.
Supermoon: The Moon’s “Cupcake” Moment
When the Moon does a perfect dance step and lands at the very tip of its closest approach to Earth – a place called perigee – it looks extra large and bright, like a freshly baked cupcake. Although no hard rule is set, scientists consider the Moon super when its distance from Earth’s center drops below 360,000 km (for reference, the average distance is about 382,500 km).
Micromoon: The Moon’s “Slim Needles” Day
Flip the script, and you’ll see a micromoon: the Moon shrinks to roughly 14 % smaller than usual. This happens when the Moon is on the farthest side of its orbit, called apogee, where the distance exceeds 405,000 km from Earth’s center.
What Astronomers Say
According to Albert Ho, president of The Astronomical Society of Singapore, the upcoming eclipse will see the Moon at apogee, so our celestial heavyweight will appear a tad smaller and less dramatic.
How to Catch the Show
- Pick a Clear Night: Weather matters – no clouds, no moonlight interference.
- Find a Good Viewpoint: Anywhere you can see the horizon will do.
- Bring a Cheery Spirit: Whether you’re a sky‑sailor or a couch‑comet, a positive vibe makes everything brighter.
So next time the moon plays swing and swing about – whether as a dazzling supermoon or a shy micromoon – remember: it’s all up to the distances it travels through space. Grab your snacks, settle in, and let the sky put on a show.
Super Blood‑Blue Moon Takes Singapore by Storm
On the night of January 31, 2018, a rare super blood‑blue moon eclipse painted the sky for about three hours and had thousands of Singaporeans glued to their windows and street corners. It was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime spectacle that left many buzzing with excitement.
Why This Eclipse Is Safe to Watch
Unlike solar eclipses, you can safely look at a lunar eclipse with the naked eye. Astrophysicist Mr. Ho explained that the moon’s brightness stays intact and isn’t ruined by light pollution. “Just find a clear, unobstructed spot from overhead to the western horizon,” he advised, as the moon glows like a giant candy apple amid the city lights.
He suggested adding a pair of binoculars or a telescope for an extra dose of awe.
Family‑Friendly Stargazing Extravaganza
To make the most of the event, the Singapore Science Centre and the Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) teamed up for a night‑long camp aimed at kids aged 7–12:
- Time: Starts at 6 pm Friday, wraps up at 7 am Saturday.
- Highlights: Live eclipse viewing, a special talk, adult & child workshops, and a hands‑on telescope‑building session.
Unfortunately, the camp sold out. Those keen can still drop an email to join the waiting list.
More “Meteo” Into the Night
Singapore Astronomical Society will hold a public talk on Friday at 8 pm, right in the Science Centre’s observatory classroom. The discussion will cover:
- What eclipses are and why they’re so spectacular.
- How to safely view them from the comfort of your home.
- Upcoming eclipses that you can catch right here in Singapore.
Sidewalk Stargazing for The Curious
Another crowd‑pleaser, Singapore Sidewalk Astronomy, offered its own stargazing adventure from Friday night into Saturday morning. Starting at 10 pm outside the McDonald’s at Bishan‑Ang Mo Kio Park, participants gathered for a morning under the stars.
In a Facebook note, the group’s members pointed out that the dust storms sweeping across Mars have muffled the surface features, so spotting Martian craters becomes a bit trickier. The group’s enthusiasm, however, remained undiminished.
All You Need in Your Stargazing Toolkit
To fully enjoy the next celestial event, bring:
- A sturdy pair of binoculars or a telescope (optional but optional).
- A comfortable chair or blanket for those all‑night sessions.
- Some snacks—because stargazing might make you hungry!
- Possibly a notebook to jot down your observations.
With these tools in hand, you’re ready to watch the next moon dance across the sky, whether it’s a quiet glow or a dramatic blood‑blue thunderclap.
Spotting the Super Blue Blood Moon in Tokyo
The 2018 “super blue blood moon” briefly turned the sky into a crimson canvas over Tokyo on January 31. In the composite snapshot, the waning lunar disc is bathed in an eerie reddish glow.
Where the Eclipse Was Visible
- Tokyo, Brussels, Lisbon, London, Budapest, Cairo, Jakarta, Athens, Rome, Sydney, Singapore, New Delhi, Paris, Moscow, Beijing, Rio de Janeiro
Singapore was a lucky few: the total lunar eclipse played out right in front of its horizon. Unfortunately, the penumbral phase, which would have marked the event’s conclusion, slipped below the skyline.
Who Got to See It in Full?
Residents in India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and their neighbours had the full spectacle. Meanwhile, most of North America missed the whole show.
Past & Future Lunar Events
On January 31, you could have watched a total lunar eclipse, a blue moon and a super moon all at once. The eclipse lasted 1 hr 16 min.
Crowds swarmed the Observatory at the Science Centre Singapore, with about 5,000 visitors lining up for a special telescope session.
Such a rare tri‑alignment last happened over 150 years ago in 1866.
Upcoming eclipses:
- January 2021: Not visible from Singapore.
- May 25 2021: First totality Singapore can still watch in another three years.
Long‑Duration Eclipses
While eclipses can last hours, the totality period is what astronomers actually compare. The Jan 31 eclipse covered 103 minutes of perfect darkness—just shy of the theoretical 107‑minute limit.
Historic longest durations: 1 hr 46 min in 2000 (nearly max), 1 hr 20 min in 2004, 1 hr 30 min in 2007, and 1 hr 40 min in 2011.
Eclipse Cheat Sheet
Totality: When the body is completely darkened.
Syzygy: Greek for “yoked together”; occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon line up.
Penumbra: The half–shadow where only part of the light is blocked.
Umbra: The darkest, central part of a shadow.
Apogee / Perigee: The farthest / nearest points of the Moon’s orbit from Earth.
Sources include NASA, National Geographic, and the Science Centre Singapore (among others).
