Kazan citizens will be able to see the eclipse of the Moon and the great opposition of Mars through the telescopes

On July 27, scientists of the KFU and Astronomical Observatory of Engelhardt will tell about two unique phenomena.

(KZN.RU, July 25). On July 27, Kazan citizens will be able to observe the eclipse of the moon and see Mars, Venus, and Jupiter after 9 pm. Telescopes will be installed on the veranda of the Department of Astronomy and Space Geodesy of the Institute of Physics of the Kazan Federal University.

The longest in duration in the XXI century total eclipse of the moon will happen on July 27. The partial phases of the eclipse will begin at 8.14 pm Moscow time, and the total eclipse will come at 10.30 pm and will last 103 minutes. “This means that the moon, which at this time will turn red, can be observed until midnight”, the university's website quotes the words of Almaz Galeev, the employee of the Astronomical Observatory of Engelhardt of the Institute of Physics of the KFU. “By a unique coincidence, the great confrontation of Mars will take place on the same night. The Red Planet will approach the Earth at the closest distance for the last 15 years: 58 million kilometers. The next great confrontation of Mars will take place on September 15, 2035”.

On the night of the lunar eclipse, Mars will be exactly under the disk of the Moon only a few degrees south of it. Therefore, they can be observed almost simultaneously, but it must be taken into account that in the summer during the full moon the Moon is in the southernmost part of its position in the sky. Therefore, it will be possible to see the Red Moon in the phase of total eclipse and the bright red Mars in Kazan low over the horizon in the southern part of the sky. The best place for observation is one with an open southern horizon. In addition, it is possible to conduct observations only on condition of clear weather, explained the scientist.

On July 27 at 7 pm, the Department of Astronomy and Space Geodesy of the Physics Institute of the KFU, located at Kremlevskaya Street, №18, will open the door for everyone to learn more about the two unique phenomena that can be seen later through the telescope.

Representatives of the department and the Astronomical Observatory of Engelhardt will tell the visitors about the great opposition of Mars and the total eclipse of the Moon. They will introduce guests to interesting results received by the employees, students and postgraduate students of the KFU who are engaged in research of the Moon and other celestial bodies in the Universe.