Americas to witness near-total 'blood moon' eclipse
A near-total lunar eclipse will be visible across North and South America on Thursday night, with 96% of the moon expected to fall under Earth's shadow. The eclipse will appear as a reddish 'blood moon' due to atmospheric scattering of sunlight. It begins around 9:23pm EST and peaks about an hour later.
Lunar eclipses occur when Earth positions itself directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. Thursday night's event will darken 96% of the moon at its maximum point, creating the distinctive reddish appearance known as a "blood moon" caused by atmospheric light scattering.
The event's timing favors observers across the Americas, with the eclipse commencing at approximately 9:23pm EST and reaching its peak around 10:33pm EST. Limited visibility extends to portions of Europe and Africa. This follows an earlier solar eclipse this month that drew millions of viewers across Europe.
This celestial event could draw significant public attention to astronomy and natural phenomena, potentially encouraging families and schools to engage in shared observation activities. Widespread media coverage may briefly elevate public interest in space science, though such engagement typically fades quickly after the event passes. The eclipse's accessibility across the Americas means millions could witness it directly, offering an opportunity for community connection through a shared natural experience.