Thursday night, many spent the evening with necks bent upwards watching a total lunar eclipse. Commonly called a “Blood Moon,” a total lunar eclipse, occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and moon causing the Earth’s shadow to fall on the moon.
The event unfolded after sunset, with the totality phase—when the moon appeared deepest red—occurring around 9 PM. The reddish hue was caused by sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere and scattering onto the moon’s surface.
Residents across the world – including Oceania and all 50 states – stepped outside to take in the rare sight, many sharing photos and videos online. Despite some earlier cloud cover, the skies cleared in time for an excellent view.
This was the first total lunar eclipse visible in the region since 2022. Partial lunar eclipses are expected later this year on September 7th and 21st.
Photo: Marcella Fitisone.
