Total lunar eclipse creates blood red moon in Chile

This month, a total lunar eclipse occurred, showcasing a striking blood red moon over the night skies of Chile. The event took place overnight from March 13 to March 14, coinciding with the Full Worm Moon. The peak of the eclipse happened at 2:59 a.m. EDT (6:59 GMT) on March 14. The blood red moon was beautifully captured at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in northern Chile. The observatory is run by the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory, known as NOIRLab. They shared impressive photos of the glowing moon along with the bright Milky Way in the background on social media. During a total lunar eclipse, Earth lies directly between the sun and the moon, blocking sunlight and casting a shadow on the moon. This shadow can make the moon appear dark and sometimes reddish, hence the term "blood moon." This lunar eclipse was the first total one since 2022. It was visible in North America and most of South America, with viewers in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile witnessing full totality. Other regions, such as Western Europe and parts of West Africa, caught a glimpse of it around moonset. The photos from the observatory show the stunning red glow of the moon set against the backdrop of the Milky Way and sparkling stars. The clear skies in Chile offered an ideal view for this beautiful celestial event.