The Enigmatic Blood Moon of May 2022: A Celestial Spectacle Unseen by India

On May 16, 2022, the celestial stage was set for a breathtaking event: a total lunar eclipse, famously known as the ‘Blood Moon.’ This magnificent astronomical display captivated skygazers across vast swathes of the globe, casting the Moon in an eerie, reddish glow. While it promised a mesmerizing experience for many, observers in India, unfortunately, missed out on this particular show due to the timings coinciding with their daytime hours.

A ‘Blood Moon’ is not a sign of impending doom, but rather a beautiful optical phenomenon.

During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth positions itself directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that completely covers our lunar companion. However, instead of disappearing entirely, the Moon takes on a reddish or coppery hue. This happens because sunlight, scattered by Earth's atmosphere, bends and refracts around our planet, reaching the Moon.

The blue light is scattered away, leaving only the red and orange wavelengths to pass through, painting the Moon in its distinctive ‘blood’ colour. It’s akin to watching a sunset or sunrise, but from the perspective of the Moon!

The May 16, 2022, total lunar eclipse followed a precise timeline.

The partial eclipse phase began at 7:02 AM IST, marking the initial encroachment of Earth’s shadow on the Moon. The true spectacle, the total eclipse, commenced at 8:59 AM IST, plunging the Moon into the full reddish glow. The maximum eclipse, when the Moon was deepest within Earth’s shadow, occurred at 9:41 AM IST.

The total eclipse phase concluded at 10:23 AM IST, gradually giving way to the partial phase, which finally ended at 12:20 PM IST.

This particular 'Blood Moon' was a prime viewing event for residents across North and South America, Europe, Africa, and various parts of Asia, who were treated to spectacular views of the reddened Moon.

While a statement from Nehru Planetarium mentioned a peak at 11:48 PM, this timing would have corresponded to a peak viewing time in specific time zones where the eclipse was observable at night. For India, as explicitly stated by Space India Director Sachin Bhambha, the entire eclipse sequence was a daytime phenomenon, rendering it invisible to the naked eye.

The Sun was high in the sky during these hours, effectively masking the subtle lunar spectacle.

Though India might have missed this particular celestial dance, the May 2022 Blood Moon served as a powerful reminder of the awe-inspiring beauty and intricate mechanics of our solar system. Such events not only offer breathtaking visual experiences but also provide invaluable opportunities for scientific study and ignite curiosity about the vast universe beyond our planet.