Skywatchers had the opportunity to witness a partial lunar eclipse in the skies over the Americas, Europe, and Africa on the evening of Thursday, extending into Friday. Known as the “almost blood moon,” the lunar eclipse reached its peak just after midnight ET, with 96 percent of the moon’s visible surface obscured by Earth’s shadow, resulting in a nearly total lunar eclipse. Those interested in celestial events were advised to take advantage of the spectacle, as the next lunar eclipse is not expected until New Year’s Eve in 2028.
In Canada, residents of Vancouver observed the full moon during a phase of the lunar eclipse in the night sky. Similarly, a partial lunar eclipse was captured in images above Osborne Village in Winnipeg, as well as from the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant in Toronto.
In other regions of the Americas, snapshots included a person using a cellphone to photograph the lunar eclipse at the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. Additionally, the partial lunar eclipse was visible behind prominent landmarks such as the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, and the Mexican flag in Ciudad Juarez. In Brazil, the moon rose behind a coconut palm during the eclipse in Salvador, Bahia state.
Moving on to Europe, images showcased the moon during a partial lunar eclipse over Warsaw, as well as spectators enjoying the event from Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath, London. In Lisbon, a plane was seen approaching for landing against the backdrop of the partial lunar eclipse, while a reddish hue dominated the night sky in Goutz, France during the eclipse.