On Sunday night, a total lunar eclipse, often referred to as a “Blood Moon,” will captivate stargazers across Asia, parts of Europe, and regions in Africa. This celestial event occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align perfectly, causing the Earth’s shadow to cast a deep red hue on the Moon. This phenomenon has fascinated humans for centuries and promises to be a striking sight for those in the right locations.
India and China are among the best places to witness this total eclipse, which will take place from 17:30 GMT to 18:52 GMT. Viewers in eastern Africa and western Australia will also have a good view, while those in Europe will experience a brief partial eclipse as the Moon rises in the early evening. Unfortunately, the Americas will miss this event entirely.
The reddish appearance of the Moon during a lunar eclipse is due to sunlight that is filtered and scattered through the Earth’s atmosphere. According to Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at Queen’s University Belfast, blue wavelengths of light are dispersed more easily than red wavelengths, which is what gives the Moon its distinctive color during this phenomenon.
For lunar eclipses, no special equipment is necessary; clear weather and a good vantage point are all that is required to enjoy the spectacle. The last total lunar eclipse occurred in March 2023, with another preceding it in 2022. Milligan, who has dedicated over a decade to observing such events, considers this Sunday’s eclipse a precursor to a significant total solar eclipse set for next year.
Looking ahead, a rare total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026, when the Moon completely blocks sunlight. This event will be visible in a narrow band across parts of mainland Europe, particularly in Spain and Iceland, while other countries will witness notable partial eclipses. Milligan noted that totality will be visible in a strip roughly 160 kilometers (100 miles) wide between Madrid and Barcelona, although neither city will experience the full effect.
As anticipation builds for this weekend’s lunar eclipse, many enthusiasts and casual observers alike are reminded of the natural wonders that can often be seen in the night sky. The upcoming total solar eclipse will be the first of its kind visible in mainland Europe since 2006, and it follows a total solar eclipse that crossed North America in April 2024.
For those eager to embrace the beauty of the cosmos, Sunday’s total lunar eclipse offers an opportunity to witness a spectacular event that underscores the awe of our universe.
