Stargazers around the world are gearing up for a total lunar eclipse, commonly referred to as a “Blood Moon,” set to occur on Sunday night. This natural phenomenon, where the Earth casts its shadow on the Moon, will showcase an astounding deep red hue, a sight that has fascinated humanity for centuries. The eclipse will be most visible in parts of Asia, including India and China, along with regions in eastern Africa and western Australia.
The total lunar eclipse will take place from 17:30 GMT to 18:52 GMT. Observers in Europe and Africa will have the opportunity to witness a brief partial eclipse as the Moon rises during early evening hours. Unfortunately, those in the Americas will miss this celestial event entirely.
Understanding the Blood Moon
The striking red appearance of the Moon during a lunar eclipse occurs because the only sunlight reaching it is filtered through the Earth’s atmosphere. According to Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at Queen’s University Belfast, shorter blue wavelengths of light scatter more easily, allowing longer red wavelengths to dominate the view. Milligan explained, “That’s what gives the Moon its red, bloody colour.”
Unlike solar eclipses, which require special glasses or pinhole projectors for safe viewing, a lunar eclipse can be enjoyed by anyone with clear weather and a good vantage point. This upcoming event follows the last total lunar eclipse that took place in March 2023, with the previous one occurring in 2022.
Looking Ahead to Future Eclipses
Milligan, a passionate “solar eclipse chaser,” regards the upcoming Blood Moon as a prelude to a more significant event next year. A rare total solar eclipse, where the Moon completely obscures the Sun, will be visible in a narrow band across parts of Europe on August 12, 2026. This total solar eclipse will be the first visible in mainland Europe since 2006, with Spain and Iceland being the prime locations for viewing.
In Spain, the totality will be observable in a band approximately 160 kilometres (100 miles) wide, stretching between Madrid and Barcelona. However, neither city will experience the full totality. This event follows a total solar eclipse that traversed North America in April 2024.
As this weekend’s total lunar eclipse approaches, many enthusiasts are preparing to witness a stunning display of nature’s beauty, marking yet another chapter in humanity’s long-standing fascination with celestial events.
