Eclipses, whether lunar or solar, have been hot topics for conflicting discussions and superstitions in ancient times. Although the superstitions still prevail in some regions of the world, scientific researches have been able to back up these phenomena with satisfactory logics. Fortunately, a major part of the educated global population is well-aware of the events which take place during the solar or lunar eclipse and thankfully they believe in science. However, one question remains same for almost everyone: Why does the moon turn red during a lunar eclipse?

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Reflection of solar light:

There is no surprise in the fact that no planet has the light of its own, they reflect the light of the Sun falling onto them. And so does the moon. Moon does not have any light of its own but it reflects the sunlight shining on its surface towards Earth. During a total lunar eclipse, earth comes between the sun and the moon, cutting off moon’s supply of light. Resulting in a reddish glow on the surface of the moon rather than becoming completely dark. This has caused many people in the past to refer a total lunar eclipse as “Blood Moon”.

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