The blood moon, named after its red pigmentation during a full lunar eclipse, made an appearance January 20-21. The moon’s total eclipse lasted for about an hour late in the night, meaning many of us were up long after bedtime to do some stargazing.

Having a total lunar eclipse visible in our area is certainly rare, and while there is another lunar eclipse on July 16th, 2019, it will only be a partial eclipse, and will only be seen in South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The next total lunar eclipse is scheduled for May 26, 2021, but will only last 15 minutes.

The reason why the moon turns red is complicated with all its scientific intricacies, but conceptually very simple. When the Earth passes between the Sun and the moon, it casts its shadow onto the moon. When the moon is in the Earth’s umbra, or the dark center of the shadow, sun rays that pass through Earth’s atmosphere and onto the moon to create a red tinge.

Spiritually and astrologically, the blood moon has taken on different meanings. When the blood moon is out, some believe that it brings out an emotional energy within us or calls for self-reflection. Some believe it causes a rise in crime and accidents. Others relate it to religious symbols or, more severely, the apocalypse. To most, however, it is seen as a beautiful but rare space phenomenon.