During the night of Thursday into Friday, skywatchers will have the chance to witness a ‘blood moon’, a striking phenomenon that occurs when a lunar eclipse coincides with a full moon.
On 14 March, the first total lunar eclipse of the year will take place, giving the moon a reddish hue as it passes through Earth’s shadow.
The event will begin at 4.56am CET, when the moon enters Earth’s penumbra. The partial eclipse will become visible at 6.09am as the moon moves into the umbra, gradually turning red. The total eclipse, or ‘blood moon’, will peak at 7.26am.
However, visibility in Central Europe will be limited, as the moon will set during the eclipse. The best chance to catch a glimpse of the partial eclipse will be between 5am and 6.30am, weather permitting. Observers in Western Europe, West Africa, and the Americas will have a clearer view of the event.
For those who miss this lunar eclipse, another opportunity will arise on 7 September, when a blood moon will also be visible in Central Europe, provided the weather cooperates.
Historically, the blood moon has been surrounded by folklore and superstition. In the past, when the moon was the primary source of nighttime light, its disappearance during an eclipse often sparked fear that it might never return.
