An incredible total lunar eclipse is still unfolding over North America, although totality has now come to an end. Earth’s shadow turned the full moon into a dramatic blood moon earlier this evening, and the first mesmerizing images are already pouring in.
Fantastic views of both the partial and spectacular blood moon phases i total lunar eclipse already flooding the internet, taken by photographers in the Americas and Oceania.
First view of the total lunar eclipse on March 3
Mirko Harnisch and the Dunedin Astronomical Society captured a stunning view of the full moon below partial eclipse phase from New Zealand, as shown in this still image from The Virtual Telescope Project livestream. The photo was taken shortly after Earth‘s curved inner shadow began its slow journey across the lunar disk, darkening the lunar sea that spread across the western part of the surface. The March full moon is commonly known as the Worm Moon and is named for the time of year when the ground softens to allow earthworms and burrowing beetles to emerge.
Photographer Ted Aljibe captured a stunning view of the partially eclipsed full moon as it rose over the city of Manila in the Philippines, with Earth’s shadow obscuring the lower part of the disk.
Our next view comes courtesy of Time and Date and was taken as a small crescent of the lunar disk peeked out around the massive sweep of the planet’s umbral shadow late into the subphase. The dark basaltic plain Mare Crisium (Sea of Crisis) can be seen as a small oval on top of the sunlit part, with Mare Fecunditatis (Sea of Fertility) below, marking areas where liquid lava once flooded the lunar surface.
Harnisch and the Dunedin Astronomical Society were able to capture another gorgeous view of the lunar disk as it hung over New Zealand during totality, with sunlight filtered off Earth’s atmosphere was bent on its ancient surface, transforming the worm moon into a dramatic blood moon.
Time and date provided yet another perspective on the blood moon from the mobile observatory in California’s Yucca Yalley, where the contours of the lunar sea can be seen darkening the crimson orb as it drifted silently behind Earth, hidden from the sun.
Finally, photographer Phil Walker snapped this impressive view of the full moon during totality from northern New Zealand, bathed in the light of every sunrise and sunset on Earth.
Be sure to follow along live with our total lunar eclipse live blogwhich will keep you updated with all the major milestones as the Earth’s shadow slips inexorably from the face of its natural satellite. The March 3 eclipse comes to an end at 9:23 a.m. EST (1423 GMT), when the outer part of Earth’s shadow—known as its penumbral shadow—leaves the lunar disk.
Editor’s Note: If you would like to share your photos of the March 3 Blood Moon Eclipse with Space.com readers, please send your photos along with comments, name and location to spacephotos@space.com.
