Blue Ghost spacecraft observes unique lunar eclipse

The recent lunar eclipse captivated many viewers. People watched as the Earth's shadow slowly moved across the Moon. This event was special because it was the first total lunar eclipse seen by the Blue Ghost spacecraft on the Moon's surface. Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow. This happens when the Moon is full and aligned with the Earth and the Sun. Since the Earth is much larger than the Moon, these shadows are more common than solar eclipses. During a lunar eclipse, the Moon initially appears bright. As it moves into the Earth’s shadow, more of it goes dark. When the Moon is fully shadowed, it can sometimes appear as a dull grey or a deep red, known as a "Blood Moon." This occurs because of the way sunlight filters through the Earth’s atmosphere. When viewed from the Moon, the Earth would appear as a dark disc surrounded by a colorful ring. The Sun, peeking around the Earth, gives off a bright light, which can light up the lunar surface with a red hue during the eclipse. Sometimes, if the atmosphere is heavily polluted, the Moon can appear dull grey instead of red. Many people have memories of watching lunar eclipses in dark locations, enjoying the view and sometimes unexpected moments in nature, like seeing animals nearby. In addition to the eclipse news, Venus is now low in the sky before dawn. Jupiter shines brightly in the evening, and Mars can be seen high in the south. The next new Moon will be on March 29.