The first total lunar eclipse of 2025 occurred on earth on Friday, marking the first time since November 2022 that the eclipse has been full.
Residents of the whole territory of North and Central America, as well as in many countries of South America, could observe the eclipse in all its glory in the night sky. Also residents of some countries of Western Europe and West Africa, New Zealand and the Far East regions of Russia could partially see the eclipse.
A lunar eclipse occurs during a full moon if the moon falls fully or partially into the shadow cast by the earth, which is between the sun and the moon. In a total or partial eclipse, the moon first enters the earth’s penumbra, becoming about 10% dimmer, and then enters the earth’s shadow. At this time, the moon’s disc darkens noticeably, but remains visible and takes on a reddish hue. This phenomenon, called the Blood moon, is due to the fact that on the surface of the satellite fall refracted and scattered in the earth’s atmosphere of the sun’s rays.
This phenomenon was previously considered a bad sign, but today it is of interest solely as a beautiful example of the play of light and shadow in space.
Blood moon occurs relatively rarely, because the moon’s orbit is tilted relative to the earth and the satellite does not often fall exactly in the cone of the planet’s shadow. According to astronomers, only 4-5 total lunar eclipses can be observed in a decade in one area.
Astronomers recommend taking the opportunity to observe the colourful phenomenon, for which it will be enough to go outside, preferably with a hot drink and a warm blanket.
