Lunar eclipse "Blood Moon" on March 13th: Will it be visible in Vietnam?
On March 13-14, a total lunar eclipse will occur, creating a mysterious "blood moon." However, will Vietnam have the opportunity to observe this phenomenon?
Fascinating astronomical phenomenon
On the night of March 13th and the early morning of March 14th, a remarkable astronomical phenomenon will appear in the sky – a total lunar eclipse, also known as a "blood moon". When the Moon is completely covered by the Earth's shadow, it doesn't disappear but turns a deep red due to the refraction of sunlight.
This event was not only a beautiful sight but also evoked the historical story of Christopher Columbus. In 1504, while stranded on the coast of Jamaica, he used his astronomical knowledge to scare the natives with a lunar eclipse, making them believe that the gods were angry and causing them to continue providing him with food.
The lunar eclipse on March 13th is also part of the Saros astronomical cycle, which repeats every 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours. This cycle has been observed by NASA since 1628 and will continue for many centuries to come.
Will Vietnam be able to observe this "blood moon"?
The lunar eclipse on March 13th lasted approximately 5 hours, with the "blood moon" phase appearing for about 65 minutes. However, not all places in the world could observe this phenomenon.
The Pacific, North American, and South American regions will have clear views. Some areas of Europe may see it as the moon sets near dawn, while East Asia will only see it briefly as it rises.
Unfortunately, according to Time&Date, Vietnam is not located in the area where the March lunar eclipse can be observed. Due to its geographical location and timing, the eclipse will occur after the Moon has set below the horizon in Vietnam.
Astronomy enthusiasts in Vietnam will have to wait until September 7th to witness the first total lunar eclipse of the year. This will be the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022, lasting up to 1 hour and 22 minutes.
Why does the Moon turn red?
Instead of disappearing completely into darkness, the Moon appears red when obscured by Earth due to the Rayleigh scattering phenomenon. Sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere; atmospheric gas particles scatter blue light, while red light is bent towards the Moon, giving it its characteristic red color.
This phenomenon is similar to why the sky is blue during the day and turns red at dawn or dusk. It is thanks to the refraction of light that observers on Earth can see the Moon mysteriously tinged with red during total lunar eclipses.
