You’re probably wondering why people are going crazy over this seemingly natural and regular phenomenon. The reason is actually simple. The “Blood Moon” is no regular event. But what makes it more special than the other lunar eclipses that we have say, twice or thrice annually? To get the answers to your questions, you first have to understand the complexities surrounding this spectacle.
Eclipses occur when the moon’s orbit passes through the earth’s shadow, covering up the moon and causing it to “disappear”. This eclipse will occur at a time when the moon’s orbit is at its closest to Earth, therefore giving it the name Super Moon. Due to the proximity to the earth’s atmosphere, the moon will take on a reddish tint. The moon will reflect a red color thanks to scattering rays, giving it the name Blood Moon. This is the same thing that happens during a sailor’s sunset.
Some people believe that the Blood Moon is a sign of the end of times, but once you understand how it works, it becomes clear that this occurrence is no more dangerous than a regular eclipse. It is still possible though that this Blood Moon could have been the end of days in the life of a 2 week old fruit fly.
Most of the eastern U.S. was not able to view the Super Blood Moon due to cloud cover, however several gazers from different parts of the world got great front row seats. Some were even able to capture the memorable moment on film going viral on social media and the news the following morning.
Don’t feel disappointed if you happened to miss this particular event because you’ll still be able to witness the next one, some 17 years from today. The last Super Moon Lunar Eclipse happened in 1982, and the next one will come again sometime in 2032. It’s a long wait, but well worth it.
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