Why Does the Moon Look Red Sometimes?
The Phenomenon Called the Blood Moon
Let’s Talk Science!
You know, I got a little scared last night when I looked at the Moon.
Oh yeah, it looked super red! But I wasn’t scared. When you understand where these natural things come from, there's no reason to be afraid. We’re not living in the Middle Ages, after all.
Okay smarty-pants, then explain it to me.
It’s actually called a lunar eclipse — but I think it’s best if we let the teacher explain it properly.
The Teacher Explains
The Blood Moon isn’t scary at all — it’s just a total lunar eclipse!
What Is a Lunar Eclipse?
A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves right between the Sun and the Moon, and Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon. But even then, some sunlight still reaches the Moon — through Earth's atmosphere!
So Why Is the Moon Red?
When sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere, shorter light waves like blue and violet get scattered in all directions. But longer waves — like red and orange — pass through more easily. That reddish light is what reaches the Moon during the eclipse, making it look red to us!
Does It Happen Often?
Total lunar eclipses don’t happen very often, but when they do — they’re amazing to watch! And unlike solar eclipses, they are completely safe to watch with the naked eye.