Blood Moon

On Sunday night (September 8), a spectacular Blood Moon was visible across Asia, Australia, and parts of Africa around 9 p.m., as a total lunar eclipse unfolded. Skywatchers witnessed the Earth’s shadow gradually covering the Moon, turning it deep red.

How a Lunar Eclipse Happens

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth aligns between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight from reaching the lunar surface.

• When the Moon passes through the umbra (Earth’s darkest shadow), a total lunar eclipse occurs.
• If it only partly crosses the umbra, it is a partial eclipse.
• Passing through the penumbra (outer shadow) causes only faint dimming, often unnoticed.

Why the Moon Turns Red

The Moon appears red during a total lunar eclipse because sunlight reaching it is filtered through Earth’s atmosphere. Blue light scatters away due to Rayleigh scattering, while red light passes through, giving the Moon its crimson glow. The more pollutants in the atmosphere, the redder the Blood Moon appears.

Safe to Watch

Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye and require no special protection.

The Science Behind It

The phenomenon of scattering, known as Rayleigh scattering, was first explained by British physicist John William Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh. The same process causes the blue colour of the sky and the red-orange hues of sunrise and sunset.

(Source: Ie)