A total lunar eclipse, commonly known as a “Blood Moon,” will take place on Sunday night, offering stargazers across Asia, Europe, and Africa a rare celestial spectacle. This event occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, causing the Earth’s shadow to cast a deep red hue over the lunar surface. The eclipse is set to last from 17:30 GMT to 18:52 GMT, with optimal viewing conditions for those located in India and China.
The phenomenon will also be partially visible in eastern Africa and western Australia. As the Moon rises during the early evening, observers in Europe and Africa may catch a glimpse of the partial eclipse. Unfortunately, viewers in the Americas will not have the opportunity to witness this lunar event.
According to Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at Queen’s University Belfast, the red coloration of the Moon occurs because only the sunlight that is refracted and scattered through the Earth’s atmosphere reaches it. The shorter blue wavelengths of light disperse more easily than the longer red wavelengths, resulting in the Moon’s distinctive “bloody” appearance.
“That’s what gives the Moon its red, bloody colour,” Milligan explained in an interview with Agence France-Presse.
Unlike solar eclipses, which necessitate special glasses or pinhole projectors for safe viewing, lunar eclipses can be enjoyed with just clear skies and a good vantage point. Observers have been captivated by these occurrences for millennia, with the last total lunar eclipse occurring in March 2023 and the previous one in 2022.
Anticipation for the Next Total Solar Eclipse
Milligan, who describes himself as a “solar eclipse chaser,” regards Sunday’s event as a precursor to a significant total solar eclipse scheduled for August 12, 2026. This rare event will be visible in a narrow path through parts of Europe, including Spain and Iceland, marking the first total solar eclipse to occur in mainland Europe since 2006.
During this upcoming totality, the eclipse will be visible in a band approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) wide between Madrid and Barcelona, although neither city will experience the full spectacle. This will follow a total solar eclipse that swept across North America in April 2024.
As excitement builds for the Blood Moon on Sunday, astronomers and enthusiasts alike are preparing to witness a captivating display of nature’s beauty, reminding us once again of the wonders that lie beyond our planet.
