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Blood Moon Captivates Stargazers Across China

Beijing, September 9, 2025 – A spectacular total lunar eclipse, commonly known as a “blood moon,” captivated stargazers across China from late Sunday into early Monday morning.The event,visible from 11:30 PM Sunday to 5:00 AM Monday,drew both seasoned astronomy enthusiasts and curious onlookers to witness the rare celestial display.

Researchers explain that a blood moon occurs when the Earth aligns perfectly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that causes the Moon to appear reddish or orangish. The specific shade of red depends on atmospheric conditions.

Tang Haiming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, emphasized that this is a normal astronomical phenomenon. “During a total lunar eclipse, the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun combine and can lead to astronomical tides. Tho, there is no need to panic.” He noted that many people traveled to the qiantang River to observe the increased tides.

The eclipse was visible not only across China,but also in Asia,Eastern Atlantic,Oceania,the Indian Ocean,Europe,Africa,the Western Pacific,and Antarctica.

Enthusiasts like Zhang Yanliang, a 37-year-old Beijing resident, were well-prepared to capture the event. He deployed two cameras – one for time-lapse videos and another for still photography – to document the spectacle. Having witnessed other astronomical events like Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997 and meteor showers, Zhang didn’t want to miss this chance.

The occurrence of total lunar eclipses is relatively infrequent, with the last one taking place in 2022. The Shanghai Astronomical Observatory utilized a six-hour slow live broadcast,providing detailed explanations and details about lunar exploration projects,aiming to inspire further interest in astronomy.

What atmospheric conditions contribute to a particularly vibrant blood moon?

Mystical Blood Moon glows Vibrantly in Total Lunar Eclipse

Understanding the Red hue: Why a Blood Moon?

The captivating crimson glow of a blood moon during a total lunar eclipse isn’t magic, but captivating science. It’s caused by a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering.Here’s how it effectively works:

Earth’s atmosphere as a Filter: As sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere, shorter wavelengths of light (blues and violets) are scattered away.

red Light Remains: Longer wavelengths, like red and orange, are less affected and bend around Earth, reaching the Moon’s surface.

The Result: A Reddish Tint: This refracted sunlight casts a reddish hue on the Moon, creating the dramatic “blood moon” effect. The intensity of the red color can vary depending on atmospheric conditions.

Sun-earth-Moon Alignment: The sun, Earth, and Moon must be nearly perfectly aligned in a straight line.

Umbral Shadow: The Moon moves entirely into the Earth’s umbra – the darkest part of Earth’s shadow.

Frequency: Total lunar eclipses aren’t incredibly common, occurring roughly every 2.5 years. Partial lunar eclipses are more frequent.

Understanding the phases of a lunar eclipse is key to appreciating the event. It begins with a penumbral eclipse (subtle dimming), followed by a partial eclipse (a portion of the Moon is shadowed), culminating in the breathtaking total phase.

Observing a Blood Moon: tips for Optimal Viewing

Maximizing your viewing experience of a total lunar eclipse and the resulting blood moon requires a little preparation.

1. Location, Location, Location: Find a dark location away from city lights. Light pollution considerably diminishes visibility.
2. Check the Weather: Clear skies are essential! Monitor the forecast leading up to the eclipse.
3. No Special Equipment Needed: Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye. Binoculars or a telescope can enhance the view, revealing subtle details on the Moon’s surface.
4. Timing is Everything: Know the exact start and peak times of the eclipse for your location. Websites like TimeandDate.com provide precise eclipse schedules.
5. Photography Tips:

Use a tripod for sharp images.

Experiment with long exposure settings.

Consider using a remote shutter release to minimize camera shake.

Ancient Interpretations: Many ancient cultures interpreted lunar eclipses as omens, often associating them with misfortune, divine anger, or celestial battles.

Incan Mythology: The Incas believed a jaguar was attacking the Moon,causing it to turn red.

Mesopotamian beliefs: Mesopotamians saw eclipses as an attack on their king and would temporarily appoint a substitute king to take the blame.

Modern Superstitions: While less prevalent, some superstitions surrounding blood moons persist today.

November 2022: A particularly vibrant blood moon was visible across North and South America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Atmospheric conditions contributed to an exceptionally bright red hue.

May 2022: This eclipse was visible from much of the Americas and was notable for its long totality phase.

January 2019: Known as a “super blood wolf moon,” this eclipse coincided with a supermoon (when