Get ready for a celestial spectacle! On Tuesday night, Australia will witness a breathtaking blood moon, the last of its kind on Earth until 2029. But here's where it gets controversial: while the moon will indeed turn a deep shade of red, the exact hue depends on the amount of dust or smoke in Earth's atmosphere at the time. So, will it be a bright copper or a subtle reddish-orange? Either way, it's a sight you won't want to miss. But where's the best spot to view this natural wonder? And what's the history behind this phenomenon? Let's dive in and explore the science and mythology behind the blood moon, and find out how you can capture this moment with your camera. And don't forget to share your photos and thoughts in the comments! But first, let's start with the basics: What is a blood moon, and how does it happen? A blood moon is a total lunar eclipse, where the Earth aligns perfectly between the moon and the sun, casting a shadow on the moon. This happens every 18 months to three years, and when it does, the moon takes on a reddish or orange hue, earning it the name 'blood moon'. But why does this happen? It's all about the way sunlight filters through Earth's atmosphere during the eclipse. As the sun's light passes through the atmosphere, the shorter blue wavelengths scatter, while the longer red wavelengths bend towards the moon, creating the dramatic 'blood moon' effect. So, when can you see this celestial event? The partial eclipse, where the Earth's shadow begins to cross the moon, will start at different times across Australia: 8:50 pm in Sydney and Melbourne, 7:50 pm in Brisbane, and 8:20 pm in Adelaide. The blood moon, or total eclipse, will start a little over an hour later. It's estimated to begin at 10:04 pm in Sydney and Melbourne, 9:04 pm in Brisbane, and 9:34 pm in Adelaide. Perth will see the total eclipse from 7:04 pm. The moon is expected to remain fully inside Earth's shadow for about an hour, leaving the shadow at 11:02 pm in Sydney and Melbourne, 10:02 pm in Brisbane, and 10:32 pm in Adelaide. The full eclipse will end in Perth at 8:02 pm. Now, let's talk about the history of the blood moon. Blood moons have captivated humans for thousands of years, inspiring myths and legends across the world. They were often seen as bad omens, but today, they're viewed as something even more powerful. According to Swinburne astrophysicist Rebecca Allen, 'A breathtaking reminder that we are living on a moving planet, in a dynamic solar system, just one small, wonderful world, drifting through space.' So, where's the best spot to view this celestial event? The blood moon will be best observed in a dark location, away from bright lights. However, the blood moon should be visible regardless of location, provided the view of the moon isn't obstructed. Stargazers are advised to allow up to 15 minutes for their eyes to adjust to the colours from the blood moon, and to prepare their cameras ahead of the total eclipse beginning. The Moon should be high in the sky when the total eclipse is occurring, making it particularly easy to view. Allen noted that Jupiter will also be high in the sky around the time of totality, making for a 'great pairing'. Now, let's talk about what you're likely to see. Whether the blood moon is a deep red, bright copper, or something in between will depend on how much smoke or dust is in Earth's atmosphere at the time, according to Macquarie University astrophysicist Devika Kamath. 'This should be a beautiful and very noticeable total lunar eclipse,' Kamath said. 'The colour comes from sunlight being refracted through the atmosphere and into Earth's shadow – effectively lighting the Moon with the combined glow of every sunrise and sunset around the planet.' So, when's the next eclipse? Kamath said Tuesday's blood moon would be the 'standout' eclipse on the stargazing calendar, and that the following lunar eclipses were expected to be 'less dramatic'. This includes a partial lunar eclipse in August, and an 'almost' lunar eclipse in July 2027. Stargazers will see a subtle dimming in the sky during these events, but they won't be the same as the 'true total eclipse' expected on Tuesday. And finally, let's talk about other special moons. Other special full moons include the blue moon, which is not blue in colour or otherwise irregular in appearance, and occurs when there are three full moons in a season or two full moons in a month. It happens about every 2.5 years. There's also the supermoon, which occurs when the full moon is at its closest to Earth, appearing 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than the furthest point of its orbit. It creates a dramatic, glowing moon that, in the right conditions, illuminates the night sky. The harvest moon is the supermoon falling closest to the September equinox, hailing from a time when northern hemisphere farmers used the moon's increased brightness to gather crops. And the hunter's moon is the supermoon following the harvest moon, traditionally linked to hunting and food storage ahead of the northern hemisphere winter. So, there you have it! A blood moon, a celestial spectacle, and a chance to connect with the natural world. Don't forget to share your photos and thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for more celestial wonders. And if you're interested in learning more about climate change and the environment, be sure to sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter. Happy stargazing!
