See Stunning Images of Rare Blood Moon and Lunar Eclipse

For the first time since 2022, skygazers on Thursday night were treated with a total lunar eclipse, which turned the moon into a visible glowing red orb, often called a “Blood Moon.” But thanks to cloudy skies and the need for sleep, not everyone was able to see peak illumination. Here are some images captured by photographers across the globe.

A total lunar eclipse

While eclipses may seem like rarities, they occur throughout the year in different forms. There are solar eclipses, lunar eclipses, partial eclipses and total eclipses.

The March event is a total lunar eclipse thanks to the positions of the sun, Earth and moon in relation to each other. Earth will drape its shadow over the moon until the moon is blanketed by the darkest part of the shadow. This doesn’t blot out the moon, but it creates a change in its color.

The lunar eclipse kicked off late on Thursday, March 13, or early in the morning on Friday, March 14. 

“This is a great eclipse to watch because the full moon will be passing through the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow (called the umbra), and it is well-timed for night-owl observers in the US,” said Emily Rice, associate professor of astrophysics at the Macaulay Honors College of the City University of New York.

Read more: Total Solar Eclipse 2024: The Best Photos

Rice pointed out the eclipse happened for most of the US on March 14, also known as Pi Day, because the date can be written 3/14, the first three digits of Pi, 3.14. She called it a “nicely nerdy coincidence.”  

“Lunar eclipses are easier to observe than solar eclipses, because the Earth’s shadow is much larger than the full moon, so anyone who can see the full moon will be able to see the eclipse,” said Rice. “This is different from a solar eclipse that is usually only visible along a very narrow path on the Earth.”

What is a blood moon?

Lunar eclipses have attracted a slew of sensational nicknames, so you might see terms like “super harvest wolf moon.” The March full moon is called the “Worm Moon” by Old Farmer’s Almanac.

A total lunar eclipse is sometimes called a blood moon thanks to the red or orange tinge it takes on from sunlight filtering through our planet’s atmosphere. “It’s as if all the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the moon,” NASA said.

The color effect can be subtle, so don’t expect a moon that’s as red as a Corvette. 

“They are usually a bit overdramatic,” Rice said of the moon nicknames, “so I worry people will have high expectations and be disappointed, but really anything that gets people paying attention to the night sky like this is wonderful.” 

Tips for viewing the lunar eclipse

This eclipse is over, but more will come. Rice has two key pieces of advice for eclipse viewers: get comfy and be patient. Grab a comfy chair and a spot with a clear view of the night sky. Try to avoid light pollution if possible.

Eye safety is a key issue with solar eclipses, but lunar eclipses don’t require eye protection. 

“You don’t need any special equipment, but it’s still a good opportunity to try out binoculars or a telescope if you have them,” said Rice. She recommends scoping out the moon prior to the eclipse start time to get a sense of its location and brightness.

If you only catch part of any eclipse, aim for totality, especially if you’re setting your alarm and only plan to witness part of the celestial show. Totality is when the moon is entirely covered by our planet’s shadow. 

“At first the change will be very gradual as the partial phases begin, but once totality starts the moon will grow dark and look orange or red for about an hour during totality,” Rice said. “How striking it is will depend on local weather conditions.”

Not everyone saw March’s blood moon lunar eclipse, but those who did can report: It’s a worthwhile moment of awe. 

“We’ve become so disconnected from the natural world,” said Rice. “And a lunar eclipse is a great way to experience it first-hand.”