Stargazers across Asia, parts of Europe, and Africa will have the opportunity to witness a stunning total lunar eclipse on the night of March 14, 2024. During this celestial event, the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon will cause the Moon to take on a deep red hue, often referred to as a “Blood Moon,” captivating observers worldwide.
The total lunar eclipse will occur from 17:30 GMT to 18:52 GMT, with the best views expected in regions such as India and China. Observers on the eastern edge of Africa and in western Australia will also have prime locations to view the phenomenon. While much of Europe will experience only a brief glimpse of a partial eclipse as the Moon rises in the early evening, stargazers in the Americas will unfortunately miss out entirely.
Understanding the Blood Moon
The reddish appearance of the Moon during a lunar eclipse is due to sunlight that is reflected and scattered through the Earth’s atmosphere. According to Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at Queen’s University Belfast, shorter blue wavelengths of light are dispersed more easily than the longer red wavelengths, resulting in the Moon’s blood-red color during this event. Milligan described the phenomenon as a spectacle that has fascinated humanity for centuries.
Unlike solar eclipses, which require special glasses or pinhole projectors for safe viewing, lunar eclipses can be observed with the naked eye, provided the weather is clear and viewers are in the right location. This accessibility makes the upcoming event particularly appealing for both amateur and seasoned astronomers alike.
Upcoming Eclipses and Events
The last total lunar eclipse took place in March 2024, and the one prior was in 2022. Milligan, who has traveled extensively to witness eclipses, regards the upcoming lunar event as a precursor to what he calls the “big one”—a rare total solar eclipse set for August 12, 2026. This solar eclipse will be visible in a limited area of Europe, primarily in regions such as Spain and Iceland.
The totality of the solar eclipse will occur along a path approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) wide, stretching between Madrid and Barcelona. However, neither city will experience the full eclipse, as only parts of the surrounding areas will be within the path of totality. This event marks the first total solar eclipse to cross mainland Europe since 2006, following the significant eclipse that traversed North America in April 2024.
