Blood moon rising: Spain’s sky show this Sunday

Take a peek at the night sky this Sunday, 7 September, the Moon is about to put on a show.

We are getting a total lunar eclipse, better known as a Blood Moon. That’s when the Moon slips into Earth’s shadow and turns a striking reddish colour.

So, how does it work? The Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, blocking direct sunlight. Instead, the Moon gets bathed in filtered light from Earth’s atmosphere, which gives it that eerie red glow. It only happens at full moon, so it’s not an everyday sight.

Here’s what’s happening in Spain (local time):

17:18 – Eclipse begins, but nothing too exciting yet.
18:27 – The shadow really starts to bite.
19:30 – Full eclipse is underway, though in Torrevieja the Moon hasn’t risen yet.
20:13 – Peak eclipse.
20:21 – The Moon pops up over Alicante’s coast, already glowing a deep red.
20:52 – The red fades as the eclipse ends.
21:56 – Back to business as usual.

Unlike solar eclipses, there’s no need for special glasses. You can watch it safely with your own eyes, or grab binoculars if you fancy a closer look.

Best places to watch the Blood Moon

Torrevieja: Proyecto Mastral and the city council will have telescopes set up at Plaza del Embarcadero de La Mata from 20:15 until the Moon has finished its performance.

Orihuela: MUDIC, the local science museum, will host another viewing at Ociopía Shopping Centre from 20:30.