A blood moon is a full moon that turns a deep red or copper colour, creating a striking celestial display. This captivating change occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when the sun, Earth, and moon align in a straight path.
As Earth positions itself in the middle, it blocks direct sunlight, casting the moon into its shadow and triggering the remarkable colour shift.
Why the colour turns red
Even in Earth’s shadow, sunlight still reaches the moon by bending around the planet’s edges. The Earth’s atmosphere acts like a gentle filter, where dust, smoke, and clouds scatter the brighter blue part of light.
This allows the deeper red part to travel farther, painting the moon in warm shades. The exact tone depends on how clean the air is that night.
For instance, after big wildfires or dust storms, the shade can look darker, while clearer skies after rainfall may produce a lighter hue.
The event is safe to watch with the naked eye, requiring no special glasses.
What to expect on eclipse night?
The blood moon spectacle unfolds over a few hours, from the first hint of shadow to the moon’s full red glow and back again. During this time, stars around the moon appear brighter than usual, adding to the sky’s allure.
Birds and animals may grow quiet for a short time, sensing the unusual darkness.
There are no food rules or health risks associated with viewing, making it an accessible event for all.
Beliefs and traditions in many cultures on ‘Blood Moon’
Across history, blood moons have inspired awe and stories that reflect both warning and wonder.
Some ancient legends spoke of a wolf or dragon trying to swallow the moon, prompting people to bang drums to bring it back.
In the Muslim tradition, mosques hold special prayers during eclipses, encouraging calm and reminding communities not to fear.
In parts of East Asia, families gather to share food, celebrating the event together.
Similarly, in the Andes and Pacific islands, elders shared stories to teach calm and resilience.
While modern science explains the red hue as a natural phenomenon occur at specific time of the year.
For more stories on Blood Moon: First blood moon of year to light up skies on September 7–8
