https://www.secretsofuniverse.in/november-2022-blood-moon/
The Reason Behind a Blood Moon
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar disk. However, the Moon doesn’t completely disappear out of view. Instead, it takes a reddish-brown hue when the eclipse reaches its totality. That’s why a total lunar eclipse is called a blood moon eclipse.
The reason behind this phenomenon is simple. When the Moon is eclipsed, only the refracted light from the Earth’s atmosphere reaches it. So the green and the blue light are scattered, but the red wavelengths get filtered out. Some of that red light is refracted, or bent, as it passes through Earth’s atmosphere and ends up shining on the Moon with a ghostly red light. This is Rayleigh scattering, the same physics behind the red color of the Sun during sunrise and sunset.
The redness of the Moon depends on atmospheric conditions resulting from fires, volcanic eruptions, and dust storms. A blood moon is a treat to watch. No special eye protection is needed for viewing a lunar eclipse, unlike solar eclipses (which occur during the daytime). While the lunar eclipse can be observed with the unaided eye, a pair of binoculars or a telescope can enhance the view.
Comments
Post a Comment