A captivating total lunar eclipse will turn the moon a striking red from Thursday night into Friday morning across the Western Hemisphere. The most spectacular views will be in North America and South America, although parts of Africa and Europe might catch a glimpse as well.
The Science Behind Lunar Eclipses
Lunar eclipses occur when the moon, Earth, and sun align perfectly. During this event, Earth casts a shadow that can partially or completely obscure the moon. In a partial lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow appears to take a “bite” out of the moon. During a total eclipse, the full moon is enveloped in Earth’s shadow and takes on a coppery red hue, known as the “blood moon,” due to sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere.
According to NASA, lunar and solar eclipses happen between four to seven times a year. Last September, a partial lunar eclipse was visible in the Americas, Africa, and Europe, and the previous total lunar eclipse occurred in 2022.
How to View the Blood Moon
The upcoming blood moon will be visible for about an hour starting at 2:26 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, with peak viewing around 3 a.m. No special equipment or eclipse glasses are needed to enjoy the sight. Simply head outside and look up at the sky. “As long as the sky is clear, you should be able to see it,” said Shannon Schmoll, director of Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University.
For those in Europe and Africa, the moon’s setting may make it harder to see the eclipse. “This is really an eclipse for North and South America,” noted Michael Faison, an astronomy expert from Yale University.
Historical Perspectives on Lunar Eclipses
Lunar eclipses have fascinated civilizations for thousands of years. Ancient cultures had a deep understanding of celestial bodies, often interpreting lunar eclipses as significant events. Historian Zoe Ortiz from the University of North Texas explained that ancient people had a much clearer view of the night sky compared to today.
Aristotle observed that Earth’s shadow on the moon during a lunar eclipse was always curved, providing evidence that Earth is round. In ancient Mesopotamia, people viewed the blood red moon as a bad omen for the king. To protect their ruler from potential harm, they installed a substitute king around the time of the eclipse.
Future Lunar Eclipses
If you miss this eclipse, mark your calendar for September 7th. Another total lunar eclipse will sweep across parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. The Americas will experience their next total lunar eclipse in March 2026.
