But you will need special equipment to shield your eyes from the sun if you want to watch this planetary journey. The dispersal of light makes the Moon look red. © The blood moon peeks out from behind the trees in this photo taken by Hans Åberg near Stockholm, Sweden at 7 a.m. local time (0600 GMT), about … To help you make your choice, check out our advisor's specialities, tarifs and reviews. When this light changes an eclipse appears, as the Earth interferes the rays reflected by the Moon are no longer the same. I can't say I have ever seen even one. Red wavelengths are least affected by this effect, so the light reaching the Moon's surface has a reddish hue, causing the fully eclipsed Moon to take on a red color. Of course, lunar eclipses aren't the only celestial shows in the next few years. During partial lunar eclipses, a black shadow appears on the face of the moon. Discover your destiny with the help of a Psychic! Now that I am actively watching for signs in the heavens, I will be watching this with interest. A total lunar eclipse happens when the Moon travels through the Earth's umbra and blocks all direct sunlight from illuminating the Moon's surface. Susan Taylor. Some parts of the planet may also experience solar eclipses or a "transit" of the sun by the planet Mercury, which is also technically an eclipse. Also known as false dawn, zodiacal lights are rare optical phenomena that occur around sunset and sunrise in early spring and late fall. The first pair of these eclipses (on Jan. 10, 2020, and June 5, 2020) will be visible in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Usually, only about one in three lunar eclipses are total, and about four to five total eclipses can be seen from any single location on Earth in a decade. The current century—2001 to 2100—will have eight tetrads. North and South America will finally see a blood moon again on May 16, 2022 (as will Europe and Africa). FAQ - Frequently asked questions SpaceX just launched 60 new Starlink internet satellites and nailed rocket landing at sea, Astronaut requirements changing rapidly with private spaceflyers, long-duration missions. Seeing the Moon turn red is very impressive and can scare people into thinking something bad is about to happen. You will receive a verification email shortly. NASA's website lists several occurring in the coming two years; make sure to use specially designed solar-eclipse glasses to view the show. The term Blood Moon is also sometimes used to refer to four total lunar eclipses that happen in the span of two years, a phenomenon astronomer calls a lunar tetrad. The eclipses in a tetrad occur about six months apart with at least five uneclipsed Full Moons between them.Usually, only about one in three lunar eclipses are total, and about four to five total eclipses can be seen from any single location on Earth in a decade. Please refresh the page and try again. Once every 19 years, there's a long gap between total lunar eclipses; this occurs because of the geometry of the positions of the Earth, sun and moon. We'll also see solar eclipses, which occur when the moon passes in front of the sun from the Earth's perspective. There are two definitions of a Blue Moon; both are a type of Full Moon and have nothing to do with color. . Receive news and offers from our other brands? Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes into the Earth's shadow. For example, the years between 1582 and 1908 did not have any tetrads, whereas the next 250 years—from 1909 to 2156—will have 17 tetrads. With at least five uneclipsed Full Moons between them, the eclipses in tetrad take place approximately six months apart. A total lunar eclipse is sometimes called a Blood Moon, because of the reddish tinge the Full Moon takes on when fully eclipsed. Astrologist Susan Taylor's interesting fact: The brightness of the Red Moon appears depends pollution levels, atmospheric debris and cloud cover. Visit our corporate site. © Time and Date AS 1995–2020. Then, on Dec. 14, 2020, a total solar eclipse will happen in the south Pacific, Chile, Argentina and the south Atlantic. Contact us, The reproduction of cards is authorized by Groupe France Cartes, Your request is being dealt with, we will contact you shortly. North and South America will see a penumbral eclipse on July 5, 2020, as will Europe and Africa. A "ring of fire" annular eclipse — which happens when the moon doesn't quite cover the entire sun, leaving a ring around the edges — will take place on Dec. 26 this year in Saudi Arabia, India, Sumatra and Borneo. Seeing this unique event is more associated with good luck and fortune than anything negative. When a moon appears red during a total lunar eclipse (sometimes referred to as a blood moon), it looks even more mystical than when it is just in shadows. Thank you for signing up to Space. The term Blood Moon is also sometimes used to refer to four total lunar eclipses that happen in the span of two years, a phenomenon astronomers call a lunar tetrad. Susan Taylor reveals all the dates, as well as what you need to know about this thrilling event and how to prepare for it. >> Follow the Lunar phases in our Moon calendar <<. This is the same mechanism that causes colorful sunrises and sunsets. The October Full Moon is also known as Hunter's Moon or Harvest Moon.