Stargazers around the world are preparing for a captivating astronomical event: a total lunar eclipse, often referred to as a “Blood Moon,” occurring on Sunday night. This phenomenon, visible across Asia and parts of Europe and Africa, will showcase the Moon taking on a striking red hue as it passes through the Earth’s shadow.
The total lunar eclipse is set to take place from 17:30 GMT to 18:52 GMT. Locations such as India and China will have prime viewing conditions, while observers in western Australia and the eastern edges of Africa will also enjoy this celestial display. Unfortunately, the Americas will not experience this event.
The reddish appearance of the Moon during a lunar eclipse is due to the scattering of sunlight through the Earth’s atmosphere. According to Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at Queen’s University Belfast, “Blue wavelengths of light are shorter than red ones, so they are more easily dispersed as they travel through Earth’s atmosphere.” This scattering effect results in what many describe as a “bloody” color during the eclipse.
For those hoping to witness the eclipse, no special equipment is necessary aside from clear skies and a suitable viewing location. Unlike solar eclipses, which require protective glasses or pinhole projectors, lunar eclipses can be safely observed with the naked eye.
Upcoming Eclipses and Future Events
This upcoming lunar eclipse follows a similar event that occurred in March 2024. Milligan, a dedicated enthusiast of solar eclipses, views this lunar event as a precursor to a significant solar eclipse scheduled for August 12, 2026. During this rare occasion, the Moon will completely block sunlight, casting a shadow over a narrow path in Europe, specifically in Spain and Iceland.
The total solar eclipse next year will be the first to be visible in mainland Europe since 2006. In Spain, totality will be observable in a band approximately 160 kilometers (about 100 milesApril 2024, when a path of totality crossed parts of North America. Milligan has traveled extensively over the past decade to experience numerous totalities, making the upcoming events particularly exciting for astronomy enthusiasts worldwide.
As the Blood Moon approaches, interest in lunar and solar events continues to grow, highlighting humanity’s longstanding fascination with the cosmos. Observers are encouraged to mark their calendars and prepare for a spectacle that promises both beauty and intrigue.
