TOTAL
LUNAR ECLIPSE OF MAY 15-16, 2022
BRIGHTNESS AT
MID-TOTALITY
The total lunar
eclipse on May 15-16, 2022 was already expected
to be relatively dark, since it will be
a central one with the Moon shining
at m=-0.6(+0.6) at mid-eclipse. However, the violent eruption
on Jan. 15 (volcanic explosivity index 5 or 6) launched
a great amount of aerosols into the
stratosphere and that layer mostly
remains there, although not homogeneously
distributed yet. As a consequence, based on statistical analyses of past
eclipses with observed brightness data, the author estimates that the aerosol
layer from Tonga will darken
the Moon at totality by
an additional 1.5
magnitude, rendering it a very
dark eclipse with
m=+0.9(+-0.9). Then the totally eclipsed Moon, some 0.3 million times dimmer than the
usual full Moon, will be rivalling Antares in brightness and most eclipse gazers will be amazed
to see it so faint and colorless,
estimating it at L≈1
on the Danjon scale. Observers
interested in making scientific contributions are urged to determine the light
curve of the Moon during totality.
Unfortunately, the Moon it will
be too dark
to be seen through reversed binoculars at mid-eclipse
and direct comparisons with Antares through glasses or lenses
or even naked-eye
vision should be attempted.