Complete lunar eclipse to be available in Italian skies

International visitors in Rome in these days will have the opportunity to witness the rare and magnificent show of the longest total lunar eclipse of the century, together with the bright, great opposition of Mars, admired from the ‘Parco archeologico del Colosseo’: an exceptional event, unique in the world.

On July 27, a total lunar eclipse will be back in the Italian skies. And it will be a special one: the Moon will be at its maximum distance from the Earth and will reach the center of the Earth’s shadow, in the longest total lunar eclipse of the Century, for a total duration of 103 minutes.

In addition, on the same night, planet Mars will reach its opposition to the Sun, while being close to its minimum distance from the Earth, an ideal condition to see the Red Planet. It will be a so-called ‘great opposition’, with Mars shining very bright in the sky.

“Because the full Moon, which is essential to have a lunar eclipse, happens when our satellite reaches its opposition to the Sun, both Mars and the eclipsed Moon will be in the same region of the sky, within six degrees. A rare and spectacular meeting between the Red Moon and the Red Planet” explains Gianluca Masi, astrophysicist, founder and director of the Virtual Telescope Project.

“Such a unique and unrepeatable astronomical phenomenon deserves an exceptional cultural event, in order to share with the public the value and the meaning of beauty, a connection between the wonders of the sky and those of the earth,”adds Alfonsina Russo, Director of the Coliseum Archeological Park.

Therefore, the Ministry of Culture, the The Coliseum Archeological Park and the Virtual Telescope Project have planned an extraordinary public observation, scheduled for July 27, from 21:00 to 24:00 (CEST), from a place of huge archeological, cultural and historical value, the Temple of Venus and Roma, a few meters apart from the Flavian Amphitheatre and the Arch of Constantine.

From that wonderful spot it will be possible to admire the Moon and Mars wearing their elegant red hue, a show without equal in the world. Visitors will be guided in the discovery of both the astronomical events and the ancient monuments from expert personnel and will experience these two astronomical gems both through a telescope and with the naked eye.

This free event will start at 21:00 and will end at 24:00 (CEST). Totality will be visible between 21:30 and 23:13. 40 visitors every 15 minutes will be allowed to look at the astronomical phenomenon trough 6 telescopes.

The entrance will be from the Coliseum Square, at the corner with the Via Sacra.The eclipse will be also visible in live streaming through the technologies of the Virtual Telescope, to share with the international audience such a precious and unrepeatable event. Telescopes will be available thanks to UnitronItalia Instruments.