What is a “Blood Moon”?
HOUSTON – A “Blood Moon” is the nickname for a total lunar eclipse, when the Moon turns a deep red or copper color. This happens when Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the Sun’s direct light and casting a shadow on the lunar surface.
Even though the Moon is fully in shadow, it does not disappear. Instead, it glows red because sunlight is filtered through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the Moon.
Why does the Moon turn red?
Earth’s atmosphere acts like a filter for sunlight. Shorter wavelengths of light, like blue and green, scatter in many directions. Longer wavelengths, like red and orange, bend through the atmosphere and continue into Earth’s shadow.
That red light is what illuminates the Moon during totality.
This is the same reason sunsets appear red. During a lunar eclipse, the Moon is lit by all of Earth’s sunrises and sunsets happening around the edge of the planet at the same time.
What causes a total lunar eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up in a straight line. As the Moon moves into Earth’s shadow, the eclipse progresses in stages.
First, the Moon enters the outer, lighter part of Earth’s shadow and begins to dim slightly. Then it moves into the darker central shadow, where a noticeable darkening spreads across the surface. Finally, when the Moon is completely inside the darkest part of the shadow, totality begins and the Moon turns red.
When can Houston see the eclipse?
For Houston, the eclipse will happen overnight into the early morning hours of March 3, while most people are asleep.
We will start to see a shadow on the moon at 3:35AM, but the red color will not start until 5:04AM.
The Moon will gradually darken before reaching totality, when the red color becomes most visible. The total lunar eclipse will begin here in Houston at 5:04AM and continue through 6:03AM. This phase lasts long enough for viewers to clearly see the transformation. It will be at it’s maximum eclipse at 5:34AM.
Because lunar eclipses happen slowly, you can step outside at any point during the overnight hours and still catch part of the event, as long as skies are clear.
Do you need special equipment to view it?
No special equipment is required. Lunar eclipses are completely safe to view with the naked eye.
Binoculars or a telescope can enhance the view, but they are not necessary to see the red color change.
If you are able to catch any photos of the Total Lunar Eclipse we’d love to see them! Send them in to Click2Pins.