What is a blood moon? Why is a total lunar eclipse called a blood moon? Why is this November's Full Moon or Beaver Moon a blood moon?

What is a Blood Moon?

[{"selector":"#anim-6d885ad7-8902-44fb-90ac-71f540dd577f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-112.37785%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a62f1dd-a7bf-4f55-aec0-c31462d4d507","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-893b07fb-5564-4ea3-ac69-6150986453dd","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Arrow

Simply put, a total lunar eclipse, like the one that will occur on November 8, 2022, is called a "Blood Moon" informally.

[{"selector":"#anim-253ed7e0-93b5-46a8-be60-ea18f53a885c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.79931%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bf854f66-5357-49b0-9126-28ce65842469","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a66c90fd-59b7-4f07-932a-e3587b6fc208","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the Sun’s rays. During this eclipse, the Moon will be completely obscured.

[{"selector":"#anim-020f40cc-1569-4cd8-b69d-33e926ef3cd8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.45328%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e202b49c-58d5-4594-a4ee-7745c3c841ec","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a0dcd6be-08d6-413c-b23a-b272b201e991","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

However, the Moon is not fully dark. The Moon slowly darkens and changes color over a few hours from bright white to an orange-red, as we can see from Earth.

[{"selector":"#anim-1cf5a320-1d35-4457-8324-52d684622b49","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-119.67213%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7c9d11d4-a41c-42e1-b6a4-3ce69050dece","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2dca84ed-625d-460e-8906-96547a10b1bf","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Why is a Total Lunar Eclipse called a "Blood Moon"?

[{"selector":"#anim-98393a27-1fae-47ab-9c33-2ff4cb268a78","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.30945%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9349f4af-98c8-40e0-9fdb-c5fac894e1f1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1f12a918-364c-4314-b272-8699f80c5fcb","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Arrow

When the Moon is entirely submerged in the Earth's shadow, it takes on a reddish hue colour.

[{"selector":"#anim-ab1130d9-9248-4d89-a3a7-3a1430d20b4c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.90974%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-53c0f91d-cb56-40f4-9f64-703c4997da04","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da1ab621-4420-4887-9949-ba34d6120dfe","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

We might be a little sensitive, but we'd never describe this colour as "bloody." In reality, the full eclipse Moon becomes orange or coppery hue, similar to a coin.

[{"selector":"#anim-9665bad4-ede5-4605-9e93-44948ef29c93","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-120.54795%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c85c2d36-07f4-4815-803d-c83195cd24d3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a01a9761-ad32-449b-8369-7e93f2be1e77","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

The term "Blood Moon" is not a scientific word used in astronomy. It's actually a more well-known phrase, probably because of how dramatic it sounds.

[{"selector":"#anim-33bbcf6e-0dda-4d63-af2d-ca6f92093a70","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-120.54795%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2be5fb01-bf74-406f-8bae-8834042cbb94","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b245dcf2-b915-479c-8627-bcce1702915b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Once more, the term simply designates a total lunar eclipse. Yes, that is all. Therefore, don't be misled by the title "Blood Moon."

[{"selector":"#anim-eb1a36d1-48c0-46c3-9d6e-1d3a967cf5e9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-120.54795%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-515f94da-5401-4e53-b18a-2a0be4e5be5e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d729c825-e68b-4f7c-b555-8e2401adb2ca","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Why is this November Full Moon or Beaver Moon a blood moon?

[{"selector":"#anim-1ccd8feb-1ac9-402c-b7d8-41256e4a1aae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.93811%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac36e263-439a-4c64-8587-47d52dc047b4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7c3c5b24-51cb-4c31-959c-a7afc797a946","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Arrow

This "November's Full Moon" or "Beaver Moon", is a "Blood Moon" since a "Total Lunar Eclipse" will occur on November 8, 2022, during this month.

[{"selector":"#anim-04d8daf4-d9a4-4724-9885-62c935cdc231","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.64948%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8b7b84c3-0b37-4339-8a11-15125098659a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4d90ea9a-be8d-44a4-8fa2-50a1296ec1d5","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Total Lunar Eclipse vs Total Solar Eclipse

[{"selector":"#anim-2075b40f-4674-4a01-b62f-9cdeb2310fa7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.93811%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-52fea224-bb1f-4b28-9933-0dec0f5ce733","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-68e45617-26b7-4353-b444-2379113d040d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Arrow

The two types of eclipses—solar and lunar—should not be mixed up. Solar eclipses and lunar eclipses are two different phenomena.

[{"selector":"#anim-3c9180c6-cf68-46f8-bded-891f39d02a02","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-118.56677%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0cc53bbe-f294-4c83-bd09-96a03ad04c52","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6343f50-30f1-42c5-821f-6d106b9611da","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Both involve the Moon, yet they are different events. Lunar eclipses differ from solar eclipses in several ways.

[{"selector":"#anim-33f31a3c-f751-47e8-8d0e-c4549e21435a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-118.56677%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a7e1a0c-5685-473e-bb9f-1f6ce7b0dc64","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4eb9c22d-9ace-479a-ade6-aabbc8a5600a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

It's quite fascinating when the Moon is 99% eclipsed. When the Moon plunges into the final 1% of Earth's shadow, nothing extra happens.

[{"selector":"#anim-0d7a1eeb-55f3-406b-8741-8e5dedd0bb78","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-119.72318%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fbb8e84f-b725-4104-a575-f0f8d27a0b27","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-22625a3d-82cb-407e-bff4-8b891088faa4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

In fact, 99% is more aesthetically stunning because there is one final point of white on the Moon's edge, which makes its overall coppery color more dramatic.

[{"selector":"#anim-e5ea786f-ac8e-4392-acad-ebe285b1391e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-118.24104%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f477f03a-a03a-4e30-adb2-ba1f9cf0d02e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d8be755e-35af-43ba-96a4-cb4411610ac3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

A total lunar eclipse, although not as awe-inspiring as a total solar eclipse, is still an amazing astronomical sight.

[{"selector":"#anim-56250a0d-7203-42cb-aa40-40b162de874d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-118.56677%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9ddeb609-78fa-4d3a-9391-5123391a6d5b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-556797ba-150e-4a50-9c64-d5c882fdcafd","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

NASA's James Webb Reveals Never-Before-Seen Images of 'Early Universe'

[{"selector":"#anim-3f9f866b-ae00-4de1-83eb-eaadf47bf1a9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e584fc45-aaa1-4011-b889-18510819fab1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-155.15463%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":800,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7563104d-5aa7-47ff-a965-804a43b82ac2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":950,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c16dea49-43f3-4572-8190-2fd422f13cde","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-132.47232%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":950,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]