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Often I look at NASA's Eclipse Web Site. More specifically, I often look at the Index to Five Millennium Catalog of Lunar Eclipse. How can I tell if an eclipse results in a "blood moon"? I know not all lunar eclipses result in a blood moon, but I do know that some do. So how can I know if one is from looking at it? A blood moon is the phenomenon whereby the moon in total eclipse appears reddish in color as it is illuminated by sunlight filtered and refracted by the earth's atmosphere. (Google)

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James K says this question may be a duplicate of another question. I want to know how to identify "blood moons" from looking at NASA's reports. The other question is more general. However the answer may be the same.

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  • $\begingroup$ @JamesK I want to know how to identify "blood moons" from looking at NASA's reports. The question you linked to above is more general. However the answer may be the same. $\endgroup$
    – Christian Sirolli
    Commented Apr 3, 2017 at 12:26
  • $\begingroup$ Your edit hasn't addressed the main issue with the question, which is that the term "blood moon" is not clearly defined. I suggest you edit your question to remove all references to "blood moon". It is further unclear whether you want to know about historical eclipses, recent eclipses or future eclipses. Some context might be useful - why are you interested in the brightness of an eclipse? $\endgroup$
    – James K
    Commented Apr 3, 2017 at 16:33

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"Blood moon" is not a term used scientifically. Therefore look for total lunar eclipses.

As some light is diffracted by earth's atmosphere, the moon is not entirely black but appears red. (Blue light is scattered, see why is the sky blue).

All total lunar eclipses will show a reddish colour. The brightness may vary according to the state of the atmosphere but the moon will never be black, or any other colour.

(James K contributed equally to this answer)

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  • $\begingroup$ Is that the case for all total eclipses? $\endgroup$
    – Christian Sirolli
    Commented Apr 2, 2017 at 20:18
  • $\begingroup$ All total lunar eclipses will show a reddish colour. The brightness may vary according to the state of the atmosphere but the moon will never be black, or any other colour. "Blood moon" is not a term used scientifically. $\endgroup$
    – James K
    Commented Apr 3, 2017 at 1:57
  • $\begingroup$ Basically same answer I gave last time this question was asked $\endgroup$
    – Carl Witthoft
    Commented Apr 3, 2017 at 13:20
  • $\begingroup$ @CarlWitthoft what question are you referring to? $\endgroup$
    – Christian Sirolli
    Commented Apr 3, 2017 at 19:05
  • $\begingroup$ @AChildofGod your post: astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/19071/partial-blood-moon/… $\endgroup$
    – Carl Witthoft
    Commented Apr 4, 2017 at 12:06

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