A blood moon is set to grace the night sky this week, casting an eerie red glow over Earth. This rare total lunar eclipse will be the first in more than two years, and skywatchers across several continents will have a chance to witness its striking transformation.
With the Earth, moon, and sun aligning, our planet’s shadow will completely engulf the moon, creating a deep crimson hue. This celestial event, often linked to myths and folklore, is actually a stunning example of atmospheric physics. Here’s when, where, and how to see it.
Why Does The Moon Turn Red?
During a total lunar eclipse, Earth blocks direct sunlight from reaching the moon. However, some light still makes it through, bending around our planet’s atmosphere.
Sunlight passing through the thick layers of the Earth’s atmosphere undergoes a filtering process. Blue and violet wavelengths scatter, while red and orange tones continue on their path. This process—also responsible for the colors of sunrises and sunsets—results in the moon appearing deep red or orange during totality.
NASA describes it as if all the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the lunar surface at the same time.
When And Where To See The Blood Moon?
The lunar eclipse will take place between the night of March 13 and the early hours of March 14. Visibility will depend on location and weather conditions, but those in North and South America, Europe, and parts of Africa will have the best view. Here’s the timing of the eclipse in Eastern Time (ET):
- 1:09 AM ET – Partial eclipse begins as Earth’s shadow starts covering the moon.
- 2:26 AM ET – Total eclipse begins, turning the moon red.
- 3:31 AM ET – Total eclipse ends, and the moon starts emerging from Earth’s shadow.
- 6:00 AM ET – The eclipse is fully over, and the moon returns to normal.
For the best viewing experience, step outside in a dark location with minimal light pollution. The event is visible to the naked eye, but using binoculars or a telescope can enhance the details of the moon’s surface.
How To Photograph The Blood Moon
Capturing the red moon requires careful planning, as the dim lighting conditions during totality can make photography challenging. To get a sharp and well-exposed image, using a tripod is essential to keep the camera steady and avoid blur.
Increasing the exposure time by a few seconds will help enhance the moon’s glow, while adjusting the focus manually ensures clarity since autofocus may struggle in low light. For a more detailed shot, zooming in with a telephoto lens or a smartphone attachment can bring out the moon’s craters and surface textures.
What If You Miss It?
Cloud cover or scheduling conflicts might prevent some from seeing the eclipse, but this is just the first of three upcoming total lunar eclipses. Another will take place in September, followed by a third in March next year.
Many observatories and space agencies, including NASA, often provide live streams of eclipses, making it possible to watch the event online.
