DALLAS - A total lunar eclipse transformed the skies over North Texas overnight. FOX 4 viewers shared incredible photos of the celestial event from across the region.
What Happened:
The transition began with a partial lunar eclipse around 4 a.m. Tuesday, with the total eclipse beginning shortly after 5 a.m.
The eclipse reached its maximum phase at approximately 5:30 a.m., as the moon was fully engulfed by the Earth's shadow. During this peak, the moon took on a distinct reddish-orange hue, commonly referred to as a "blood moon."
What causes a blood moon?
Dig deeper:
A total lunar eclipse occurs when a full moon is positioned directly within the Earth’s shadow.
Once the moon is fully shielded from direct sunlight, the Earth’s atmosphere filters out shorter wavelengths like blue and green light. However, it bends longer wavelengths of red light and projects them onto the lunar surface. FOX 4 meteorologist Kylie Capps describes the phenomenon as the Earth projecting every sunrise and sunset in the world onto the moon at the same time.
When is the next blood moon in Texas?
What's next:
If you missed this morning's event, you will have to wait quite a while for an encore. The next total lunar eclipse visible in North Texas will not occur until June 26, 2029.
The Source: Information in this story came from a FOX 4 weather forecast and viewers.