On Thursday night, a near-total lunar eclipse will be visible across North and South America. This celestial event comes just two weeks after a total solar eclipse that drew significant attention from observers in southern Europe. The lunar eclipse is expected to provide a stunning display for viewers in the Americas, enhancing public interest in astronomical phenomena following the recent solar eclipse.
Upcoming Lunar Eclipse: Observations and Phenomena
A significant lunar eclipse is set to occur this week, with Earth positioned between the sun and the moon. At the peak of the eclipse, approximately 96.2% of the moon will be shrouded in Earth’s shadow, creating a striking visual effect.
Observers in the continental United States will have optimal viewing conditions, provided the weather remains favorable. This event will also be visible in regions across North America, South America, and parts of Europe and Africa.
During the eclipse, the moon will take on a reddish-orange hue, a result of sunlight scattering through the Earth’s atmosphere. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as a “blood moon.” Although tonight’s eclipse will not be a total eclipse, experts indicate it is close enough to warrant the “Blood Moon” designation informally.
According to NASA, the reddish tint occurs because Earth blocks most of the sunlight from reaching the moon, with the filtered light that does arrive being refracted through the atmosphere. NASA describes it as “if all of the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the moon.”
