A lunar eclipse is when the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface. From the Earth, we see a circular bite taken out of the Moon, a dark arc slowly growing, mimicking the crescent Moon shape. But the view from the Moon itself offers a starkly different and breathtaking spectacle.
What a Lunar Eclipse Looks Like
Viewing a lunar eclipse from Earth, observers see the Moon gradually darken and often turn a dramatic red due to Earth's atmosphere filtering sunlight. But what does a lunar eclipse look like from the Moon? Well, if you were standing there, looking around, you’d see it grow darker, the landscape around you enshrouded in shadow.
Looking upwards, you'd encounter a magnificent sight: the Sun being eclipsed by the Earth. This awe-inspiring moment was beautifully captured by the Japanese probe Kaguya as it orbited the Moon.
How awesome is that? Usually, the diamond ring effect is seen in a solar eclipse, when the Moon blocks the Sun as seen from Earth. Sunlight peaks around lunar mountains and valleys, creating what looks like a wedding ring in the sky. But not this time: that’s the Earth’s atmosphere lit up, a circle of sunlight, a ring of a thousand simultaneous sunrises and sunsets.
Read More: Totality Touches The Moon During The Lunar Eclipse
Can You Look at a Solar Eclipse?
Absolutely, you can—and you should! Watching a lunar eclipse is completely safe for your eyes, offering a breathtaking spectacle as the Earth casts its shadow across the moon. This cosmic event gradually transforms the moon’s bright surface into a mysterious, often reddish hue, easily observed with the naked eye.
No need for special glasses here; just a clear night sky and a sense of wonder. So, next time one rolls around, make sure to step outside, look up, and enjoy the slow dance of shadows in the celestial sphere.
Read More: Solar Eclipses Are Beautiful To Watch, But Only If You Have The Right Protective Eyewear
The Spiritual Meaning of a Lunar Eclipse
For tens of thousands of years, humans have watched in awe as the Moon slowly gets eaten by the Earth’s shadow. Over the generations, numerous myths and legends have been associated with lunar eclipses. These tales often depict the moon being under attack or suggest that they can trigger earthquakes.
Eventually we learned what it really meant (the ancient Greeks knew, those clever people)… but it’s only been in the past few years that we’ve been able to be there when it happens. And it’s now that we can turn around, look back home, and see where it all began. Sometimes you have to travel far to understand where your journey began.
Read More: These 5 Ancient Cultures Thought Solar Eclipses Were Omens and Prophecies
Article Sources
Our writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Kaguya (SELENE)
NASA. The Diamond Ring Effect
NASA. What You Need to Know About the November 2022 Lunar Eclipse
The Farmer’s Almanac. Myths and Superstitions about the Blood Moon
This article has been updated by Discover staff with additional information.
