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Millions of Australians across the country have the chance to witness a rare “blood moon” next week, many from the comfort of their own homes.
The last blood moon occurred in March but was only briefly visible in Australian skies.
Most missed out on seeing the eerie phenomenon, as it began before the moon rose in most capital cities across the country, but they’ll get another chance very soon.
Here’s everything you need to know about the blood moon set to appear in the early hours of Monday, September 8.
A blood moon is a non-scientific term for the phenomenon where the moon appears to turn red in the night sky during an eclipse.
They only occur during a total lunar eclipse.
Unlike a solar eclipse, lunar eclipses can be safely viewed without eye protection so it’s safe to observe a blood moon.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse is when the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon.
This blocks all direct sunlight from hitting the surface of the moon, but some light still reaches it through Earth’s atmosphere.
Unlike direct sunlight, light filtered through the atmosphere is scattered, meaning only the longest wavelengths actually make it through.
The result is striking, lighting the moon up in deep shades of red and orange for a truly eerie effect.
What the eclipse looked like around the world
How rare is a blood moon?
Blood moons don’t happen often because total lunar eclipses are fairly rare.
They’re certainly less common than penumbral or partial lunar eclipses, which occur more frequently but don’t paint the moon bright red.
It makes it even more exciting that Australia will witness two blood moons this year.
Prior to that, the last blood moon was in November 2022.
How to see the blood moon in Australia
The best time to see the September blood moon in the sky above Australia is in the early morning on Monday, September 8, though the exact time will vary by time zone.
The totality(when the moon is engulfed in Earth’s shadow and turns red) will begin around the following times in each capital city:
- Sydney – 3.30am
- Melbourne – 3.30am
- Brisbane – 3.30am
- Canberra – 3.30am
- Hobart – 3.30am
- Adelaide – 3.00am
- Darwin – 3.00am
- Perth – 1.30am
The maximum eclipse, when the effect is at its strongest, will occur almost 45 minutes later.
Approximate times in each capital city are as follows:
- Sydney – 4.11am
- Melbourne – 4.11am
- Brisbane – 4.11am
- Canberra – 4.11am
- Hobart – 4.11am
- Adelaide – 3.41am
- Darwin – 3.41am
- Perth – 2.11am
The totality will end about 45 minutes after the maximum eclipse, and the entire thing will be over a few hours later.
The best place to see the blood moon will be from a high vantage point with limited artificial light sources and no visual obstructions.
When is the next blood moon?
After the September blood moon, the next total lunar eclipse won’t occur until 2026.
It will take place overnight on Monday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 3 and should be visible in most parts of Australia.
