03/03/2026
A blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and Moon, casting its shadow (umbra) over the lunar surface. While in shadow, the Moon glows with a reddish-orange hue because Earth’s atmosphere filters sunlight and projects the light from all concurrent sunrises and sunsets onto the Moon.
Key Facts About Blood Moons:
Color Source: The red color is caused by Rayleigh scattering, the same phenomenon that makes sunrises and sunsets appear red.
Visibility: They are visible to the naked eye, unlike solar eclipses, and do not require special equipment to view.
Frequency: Not every lunar eclipse is a blood moon; it only happens during total eclipses.
Upcoming Visibility: The next total lunar eclipse after March 2026 is expected on New Year’s Eve 2028. This was from this morning at 5:47am ****Unlike a solar eclipse, a blood moon occurs only during a full moon phase. The exact shade of red depends on atmospheric conditions (such as dust, smoke, or pollution)****