Sunday night’s Total Lunar Eclipse paints Moon deep red

A breathtaking “Blood Moon” lit up the night sky on Sunday as a total lunar eclipse was visible across Asia, parts of Europe, Africa, and western Australia.

The celestial event, which occurred when the Sun, Earth, and Moon aligned perfectly, cast a deep red hue over the Moon, captivating viewers across multiple continents.

The total eclipse lasted from 17:30 GMT to 18:52 GMT, with observers in countries such as India and China enjoying some of the best views. Stargazers in Europe and Africa were treated to a brief partial eclipse during moonrise, while those in the Americas missed out entirely.

Astrophysicist Ryan Milligan from Queen’s University Belfast explained that the Moon’s crimson appearance is caused by sunlight scattering through Earth’s atmosphere. “Blue wavelengths of light are shorter than red ones, so are more easily dispersed as they travel through Earth’s atmosphere. That’s what gives the Moon its red, bloody colour,” he said.

Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can be viewed safely with the naked eye, requiring only clear skies.

The last total lunar eclipse occurred in March this year, while the previous one was in 2022. Skywatchers are now looking forward to a rare total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, which will be the first visible in mainland Europe since 2006.

Though only Spain and Iceland will see totality, other parts of Europe will witness a significant partial eclipse.

The upcoming phenomenon will follow the total solar eclipse that swept across North America in April 2024.