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A rare total lunar eclipse drew sky watchers Sunday as the moon turned a deep red while passing through Earth’s shadow. People across the globe rushed to capture the striking phenomenon.
Photo by Philippos Christou
In Cyprus, the moon was fully obscured by Earth’s shadow by 8:30 p.m., taking on the characteristic reddish tone of totality. The eclipse reached its peak at 9:12 p.m., when the moon, 24 degrees above the eastern horizon, moved through the central portion of the shadow.
Photo courtesy of Cyprus Weather Enthusiasts
“The gradual unfolding of a lunar eclipse is what makes it so mesmerizing,” said Noah Petro, head of NASA’s Planetary Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Laboratory, in an interview with CNN. “Unlike solar eclipses, which pass quickly, a lunar eclipse gives viewers time to experience every phase.”
The moon above the dome of the Russian Orthodox Church of Apostle Andrew in Episkopi. Photo by Yiannis Kourtoglou/Reuters
A total lunar eclipse happens when Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow that can color the moon red or copper. The effect, known as a “blood moon,” occurs because Earth’s atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths while allowing red light to reach the lunar surface. The intensity of the color varies depending on atmospheric conditions, including dust, pollution, or volcanic activity.
The eclipse above the Acropolis. Photo courtesy of INTIME
