07/09/2025
"Blood moon" this happens during a lunar eclipse due to a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering.
Earth's Shadow: When the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, it casts a shadow on the lunar surface. This shadow has two parts: the umbra, which is the darker inner shadow, and the penumbra, which is the lighter outer shadow.
Scattering of Light: As sunlight passes through the Earth's atmosphere, it scatters shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue and violet. This scattering effect, known as Rayleigh scattering, is the same reason why sunsets appear orange or red.
Red Light Dominates: The longer wavelengths of light, such as red and orange, are not scattered as much. These wavelengths pass through the Earth's atmosphere and reach the moon, giving it a reddish hue.
Atmospheric Conditions: The exact shade of red can vary depending on atmospheric conditions, such as dust particles, water droplets, and clouds. Volcanic eruptions or wildfires can also affect the color by scattering more light.
