By Andrea Hargraves 
There will be an astronomical phenomenon that usually fascinates people’s eyes this morning, Wednesday, 26: it is the alignment between the sun, the earth and the moon, the so-called total lunar eclipse, which brings with it two other strange events: the giant moon and the blood moon.
Despite attracting the attention of those interested in astronomy, according to Augusto Almeida, coordinator of the House of Science and Technology in Aracaju (CCTECA Galileu Galilei), run by the Municipal Education Secretariat (SIMED), on this day, unfortunately, the moon will approach our horizon early, which makes Makes it impossible to visualize the phenomenon in Aracaju.
This is the first eclipse in 2021. After this phenomenon, there will be three eclipses during the year, and the next eclipse on June 10. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is aligned between the moon and the sun and the sun casts a shadow over the moon. The giant moon occurs when the moon in its full phase is closer to the earth, which makes the natural moon appear larger.
The CCTECA Coordinator explains that the alignment will happen at a time, here in Aracaju and Brazil, at college time, the moon will not be visible. “For us, in Aracaju, the moon will set at about 5:35 a.m. and a total eclipse will begin, in the partial phase, at 6:47 a.m. So, neither through the telescope nor with the naked eye, we will be able to visualize the phenomenon, taking in Mind that the satellite will not be in our viewing area. Perhaps in some places in Rio Grande do Sul, yes, in some areas it can be partially and for a short time, because it is located on the edge of the continent, “explains Augusto Almeida.
As for the giant moon, the coordinator mentioned that it could be seen by Aracaguan and Brazilians in the evening of the same day, but at a lower density than it could be seen at the time of the lineup.
Perigee (the name given when the satellite is closest to the planet), on Wednesday, can be observed from 5:35 pm, at sunrise, on the eastern horizon. However, at this time, although it appears larger than it is on most days, when the average is 384 thousand kilometers from Earth, it appears to be slightly smaller compared to the moment of the eclipse, when it will reach 358 thousand kilometers from the approach, thus Reaching the maximum apparent size.
CCCTECA
On March 22, 2021, CCTECA has completed 12 years old. The House of Science of Aracaju is located in Parque Augusto Franco, better known as Parque da Sementeira, and has enhanced knowledge of astronomy.
With interactive rooms and modern equipment, Casa da Ciência has a planetarium as a great attraction, offering an experience of immersion in knowledge, a flight simulation in which it is possible to observe the formation of the universe and the planets of the solar system and features.
“Before the pandemic, when there were phenomena like this Wednesday, at night, we held events in which we provided three to four telescopes for public viewing and other equipment to help understand the events. We even played a game of luau, in the outer area, where there were more than 600 people. Augusto Almeida points out.