Sri Lankans were treated to a spectacular celestial event today as a total lunar eclipse, popularly known as a “Blood Moon,” lit up the night sky.
The eclipse began shortly after moonrise and reached totality when the Earth’s shadow completely covered the Moon, giving it a striking reddish hue. Astronomers explain that the phenomenon occurs when sunlight refracts through the Earth’s atmosphere, scattering shorter wavelengths of light and allowing only the red spectrum to reach the Moon’s surface.
Large crowds gathered in several parts of the country, including Colombo, Kandy, and Jaffna, to watch the rare sight. Many astronomy enthusiasts organized viewing sessions with telescopes, while others captured the moment with cameras and mobile phones.
“This is one of the most beautiful lunar eclipses in recent years, and it was clearly visible across Sri Lanka due to the clear skies,” said an official from the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies.
The total eclipse began at 11.00 PM and will last for nearly three hours, with the total phase visible for more than an hour (82 minutes). Scientists say the next total lunar eclipse visible in Sri Lanka will not occur for a few more years, making today’s event particularly special.
