Blood Moon
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: HT
Context: A blood moon will be visible in India on September 7, 2025, during a total lunar eclipse, when the moon will appear dark red due to Earth’s shadow.
About Blood Moon:
• What it is?
• A blood moon is a total lunar eclipse when the moon takes on a reddish-copper hue instead of its usual white glow.
• A blood moon is a total lunar eclipse when the moon takes on a reddish-copper hue instead of its usual white glow.
• How it Occurs?
• During a total lunar eclipse, Earth comes between the sun and the moon. Direct sunlight is blocked, but Earth’s atmosphere bends and scatters some light onto the moon. Blue light is filtered out, while red light is refracted toward the moon, giving it a reddish colour.
• During a total lunar eclipse, Earth comes between the sun and the moon.
• Direct sunlight is blocked, but Earth’s atmosphere bends and scatters some light onto the moon.
• Blue light is filtered out, while red light is refracted toward the moon, giving it a reddish colour.
• Features:
• Colour intensity depends on dust, smoke, and particles in Earth’s atmosphere. The reddish effect is due to Rayleigh scattering, the same process that makes the sky appear blue. Visible across large regions where the eclipse is above the horizon. Entirely natural and predictable. Can last for several hours depending on eclipse duration.
• Colour intensity depends on dust, smoke, and particles in Earth’s atmosphere.
• The reddish effect is due to Rayleigh scattering, the same process that makes the sky appear blue.
• Visible across large regions where the eclipse is above the horizon.
• Entirely natural and predictable.
• Can last for several hours depending on eclipse duration.
• Significance:
• Offers insights into Earth’s atmospheric composition (dust, volcanic ash, pollution). Important for astronomical studies and public science outreach. A popular cultural and spiritual symbol across societies.
• Offers insights into Earth’s atmospheric composition (dust, volcanic ash, pollution).
• Important for astronomical studies and public science outreach.
• A popular cultural and spiritual symbol across societies.