Early risers across New Zealand were treated to a stunning sight on Monday morning as a blood moon lit up the sky during a total lunar eclipse. The event, visible just before sunrise, painted the moon a deep red as it passed through Earth’s shadow.
The eclipse began in the early hours of the morning and was clearly visible from many locations including Auckland, Rotorua, Tairua, and Dunedin. Dr Ian Griffin, director of the Otago Museum, watched the eclipse from his paddock in Middlemarch and described it as “very beautiful.”
A blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse when Earth blocks sunlight from directly reaching the moon. Instead, light bends around the planet, causing only the red parts of the light spectrum to reach the moon’s surface. This gives the moon its reddish glow.
Dr Griffin explained it like this: “If you were standing on the moon, you’d see Earth surrounded by a ring of sunsets—and that’s what gives the moon its red color.”
Many photographers captured the event, sharing images of the glowing red moon over hills, cities, and coastlines. The timing made it extra special, with the eclipse fading just as the sun was rising.
Stargazers in other parts of the world also saw the eclipse, including people in Asia, Europe, and Africa.
For those who missed it, don’t worry—there will be more chances to see a blood moon in the future. Keep your eyes on the sky!
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