A splendid one total lunar eclipse today it has bewitched millions of people. The astronomical phenomenon of the so-called “blood moon” has been visible in recent hours in various areas of Oceania and the Americas. In Italy, unfortunately, we were not able to attend the event live (which started at 12.04 pm Italian time and ended at 1.02 pm), except through streaming thanks to Virtual Telescope Project.
Were you unable to follow the streaming? Feast your eyes on this roundup of photos fromlunar eclipse that we have selected for you!
When an eclipse occurs
The total eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon align and our planet casts its shadow on the full Moon. During the totality phase, which lasted almost an hour, the lunar disk completely entered the Earth’s shadow cone, taking on the typical red-orange color, hence the name “Blood Moon”. As NASA reminds us, the red color is due to the filtering of sunlight through the Earth’s atmosphere: the blue components are dispersed, while the red ones reach the lunar surface. It’s the same mechanism that makes sunsets intense.
Where was it seen and when will we see a similar show
The visibility of the eclipse was optimal in the Americas, good in Australia and parts of Asia, while much of Europe and Africa were unable to observe it directly, relying on live broadcasts online. A total lunar eclipse occurs on average every two to three years globally, but is not always visible from the same place.
To witness the spectacle of the total lunar eclipse from Europe we will have to wait 2028, exactly New Year’s Eve, which promises to be unforgettable!
