Rare ‘Blood Moon’ Lunar Eclipse Enchants Stargazers

Stargazers across Asia, Europe and Africa were treated to a spectacular celestial show on Sunday night as the Moon turned a striking shade of red during a rare Blood Moon — the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022.

The phenomenon occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon align perfectly, with Earth’s shadow cloaking its satellite in a coppery-red hue. Unlike solar eclipses, which require protective glasses, this dazzling display could be enjoyed with the naked eye — weather permitting.

“The Moon turns red because the only sunlight reaching it is filtered through Earth’s atmosphere, which scatters shorter blue wavelengths and lets the longer red ones pass through,” explained astrophysicist Ryan Milligan of Queen’s University Belfast.

In India, the eclipse marked a milestone — the longest visible since 2022 and the first since 2018 to be seen from all parts of the country. The totality phase lasted 82 minutes, from 11:01 pm to 12:23 am, giving skywatchers plenty of time to witness the Moon’s eerie transformation.

“Cloudy skies blocked the view in many regions, but astronomy enthusiasts worldwide made up for it by hosting live streams,” said Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Head of Science Communication at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.

This was the second lunar eclipse of the year, following the one observed in March. For skywatchers, it was not just a scientific wonder, but a reminder of why such cosmic spectacles have fascinated humanity for millennia.