This Weekend's Rare Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse Will Turn the Moon Red for 82 Minutes-Here's How to Watch

"A blood moon lunar eclipse will delight space enthusiasts this weekend, offering a glimpse of the spectacular phenomenon for the second time this year. The lunar eclipse will occur on the night of Sept. 7 and will be visible across Asia and Western Australia with night sky watchers possibly able to catch it from Europe, Africa, eastern Australia, and New Zealand, Space.com reported. Unfortunately, the eclipse will not be visible from either North or South America."

""When this happens, the only light that reaches the Moon's surface is from the edges of the Earth's atmosphere," NASA wrote. "The air molecules from Earth's atmosphere scatter out most of the blue light. The remaining light reflects onto the Moon's surface with a red glow, making the Moon appear red in the night sky.""

"Each year, the Earth experiences about two lunar eclipses, Space.com noted. Total lunar eclipses-and blood moons as a result-are even more rare with only about 29 percent of all lunar eclipses being total eclipses. That translates to people seeing one about once every two and a half years if they are staying in the same place."

The lunar eclipse will occur on the night of Sept. 7 and will be visible across Asia and Western Australia, with possible visibility from Europe, Africa, eastern Australia, and New Zealand. The eclipse will not be visible from North or South America. The red color of a blood moon results from sunlight refracted and scattered by Earth's atmosphere, removing blue light and leaving red light to illuminate the Moon. Earth experiences about two lunar eclipses per year, with total eclipses comprising roughly 29 percent. Observers in the path will see about 82 minutes of totality and the full event lasts over five hours. Interactive maps and livestreams provide remote viewing options.

Read at Travel + Leisure