Total Lunar Eclipse Visible in Florence This Sunday: Here’s How to See It
Florence residents are in for a celestial treat this Sunday, as a total lunar eclipse will be fully visible in the city. Amateur astronomer and president of the Montelupo Astrofili Group, Maura Tombelli, shared advice for optimal viewing of the rare event, which promises a captivating display observable with the naked eye.
The eclipse occurs when the sun, earth, and moon align perfectly, causing the moon to pass into the earth’s shadow.”The earth, like everything in the universe, is shaded, and in this case the moon will go to go inside,” Tombelli explained.
While observers in Italy will only see the second half of the eclipse, the show begins around 19:50 as the moon rises already in a total eclipse phase, appearing as a dark globe slightly brighter than the surrounding sky. The peak of the eclipse is scheduled for 20:11, with the moon beginning to emerge from the shadow at 20:52, gradually regaining its usual brightness. The partial eclipse phase will conclude at 21:56.
tombelli assures that no special equipment is needed. “It is a phenomenon that can be seen well with the naked eye, it doesn’t matter to have telescope or telescope.” However, she recommends escaping city lights for a clearer view. “For those in the city, it is better to move to the countryside, having the east free from both lights and dimensions – just look south-east.”
During the eclipse, the moon will take on reddish hues, a phenomenon known as “Luna Rossa,” caused by the moon entering the earth’s shadow cone. Tombelli also points out a captivating detail: the portion of the moon emerging from the eclipse will brighten faster than the portion initially entering the shadow.
“Total eclipses of sun and moon in theory are twice a year,” tombelli noted, “You have to see in what part of the earth can be seen. This year we were lucky as it was up to us.”
