One of the final events on the summer astronomical calendar is just around the corner: a total lunar eclipse that will be visible on Sunday night across much of the world. Once again, we’ll witness the so-called “blood moon.”
What makes the September 7 eclipse special is that it will begin before the Moon rises above our horizon. The phenomenon will kick off just before 6:30 PM. The totality phase will begin at 7:31 PM, with the eclipse reaching its maximum at 8:11 PM. Interestingly, the peak of the eclipse coincides with the Moon’s rise in Catalunya. This means that the Moon will rise fully shadowed. It will remain this way until 8:53 PM, when the total phase ends. The entire eclipse will conclude at 10:00 PM.
In practice, we won’t see the Moon completely dark; instead, it will appear tinged with a reddish hue. This reddish tone is what gives rise to the term “blood moon.” The Earth’s atmosphere filters out the blue components of sunlight, allowing only the red light to pass through, which is then reflected by the Moon.
Unlike a solar eclipse, which requires eye protection, a lunar eclipse can be observed with the naked eye safely, and no special equipment is needed. All you need to do is look east. However, it’s important to keep an eye on the weather forecast, as cloud cover is expected to increase on Sunday evening.
