Sky enthusiasts in the Americas, Europe, and Africa were treated to a captivating display of a partial lunar eclipse on Thursday night through Friday morning. This lunar event, referred to as the “almost blood moon,” reached its peak just after midnight Eastern Time, with Earth’s shadow covering 96 percent of the moon’s visible surface, resulting in a near-total lunar eclipse. Witnessing this celestial phenomenon was a rare opportunity as the next lunar eclipse of this magnitude is not expected until New Year’s Eve in 2028.
In Canada, observers in Vancouver were able to see the full moon amidst the lunar eclipse against the backdrop of the night sky. The stunning images captured the partial lunar eclipse from various vantage points, such as Osborne Village in Winnipeg and the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant in Toronto.
Across other parts of the Americas, individuals marveled at the lunar eclipse, with scenes including a person taking a cellphone photo at the George Observatory in Texas, the eclipse behind the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., the golden glow of the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, the moon above the Mexican flag in Ciudad Juarez, and the moon rising behind a coconut palm in Salvador, Bahia state, Brazil.
In Europe, the partial lunar eclipse was observed over Warsaw, with onlookers enjoying the spectacle from Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath, London, and witnessing a plane approaching for landing in Lisbon during the eclipse. The night sky in Goutz, France, also provided a picturesque view of the reddish partial lunar eclipse.
This celestial event captivated skywatchers worldwide, offering a rare and breathtaking sight to all those who were fortunate enough to witness it.