How to View the Upcoming 'Blood Moon'

[Narrator] The first lunar eclipse of the year

is almost here.

Here's what you need to know.

Also, called a blood moon.

A total lunar eclipse is a phenomenon

highly prized by stargazers

because the entire lunar disc

takes on a reddish color for a few moments.

The total lunar eclipse will occur in March 3rd

and will be clearly visible

in North and Central America,

while only partially visible in Central and South Asia.

Sadly, it will not be visible in Europe or Africa.

Unlike a solar eclipse,

it's safe to view a blood moon

without any special equipment.

At the time of totality,

the moon will be almost touching

the horizon about to disappear.

That's why it's necessary to view it from higher

with no buildings blocking your view.

So, why does the moon turn red?

Well, this happens because the earth is positioned

between the sun and the moon

and cast its shadow on the lunar surface.

Unlike the moon, the earth is surrounded by an atmosphere

which filters sunlight.

Thanks to which we see the blue sky, the orange sunset,

or distant objects in opaque tones.

The light coming from the sun

and passing through the earth's atmosphere

manages to reach the moon, and those already filtered rays

impact the satellite painting it red.

NASA says it's as if all the world's sunrises

and sunsets are projected onto the moon.