blood Moon to Grace Skies Sept. 7-8: Here’s How to See It
Skywatchers are poised to witness a breathtaking celestial event this weekend as a total lunar eclipse – often called a “blood moon” – will darken the night sky on September 7-8. The eclipse will be visible across the Americas, Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe and Africa, offering a stunning display for millions.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to view with the naked eye and require no special equipment. This particular eclipse is anticipated to be especially striking, with the moon possibly appearing a deep rusty orange or even brown-red as it passes fully into Earth’s umbra, the darkest part of our planet’s shadow. The event provides a unique opportunity for both seasoned astronomers and casual observers to connect with the wonders of the cosmos.
When and Where to Watch
The timing of the eclipse varies depending on your location. Here’s a breakdown of key phases and estimated times in different time zones (all times are approximate):
North & Central america: The eclipse begins late on September 7th, peaking in the overnight hours. Totality – when the moon is fully eclipsed – will be visible from 10:36 PM to 11:53 PM PDT (September 7th), 12:36 AM to 1:53 AM CDT (September 8th), and 1:36 AM to 2:53 AM EDT (September 8th). South America: The eclipse will be visible in the early morning hours of September 8th.
Asia & Australia: Viewers in these regions will see the eclipse during the late evening and overnight hours of September 8th.
europe & Africa: Parts of these continents will catch the beginning or end of the eclipse, depending on their longitude.
To find precise timings for your specific location, resources like TimeandDate.com (https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2023-september-8) provide detailed schedules.
What Causes a Blood Moon?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface. While the moon is fully within Earth’s umbra, it doesn’t disappear completely. Rather, sunlight is filtered and refracted through Earth’s atmosphere, bending the light towards the moon. Shorter wavelengths of light, like blue and violet, are scattered away, while longer wavelengths, like red and orange, are able to pass through.This effect causes the moon to take on a reddish hue, so the name ”blood moon.”
The deeper the eclipse – meaning the more of the moon that is covered by the umbra - the darker and more dramatic the red color will appear. This weekend’s eclipse is expected to be a relatively deep one, promising a notably vivid display.
