A rare lunar spectacle is set to take place this week, with a blood moon, visible for the first time since 2022. Whether you’re an avid stargazer or simply keen to get in on this rare event, here’s your chance to prepare yourselves because the full moon will bring with it a vision that won’t be seen again for at least a few years.
A ‘blood moon’ occurs when the moon’s usual white glow transforms into a striking deep red. The phenomenon occurs during a total lunar eclipse when the sun, the earth, and the moon align perfectly, causing the moon to pass through the earth’s shadow.
This stunning natural event is not one you’ll want to miss, and while it will be visible to most of us around South Australia, it won’t last for long, so it’s important to be prepared.
The blood moon will appear on Friday night, lasting approximately 55 to 80 minutes, with the best viewing time at moonrise.
Moonrise in Adelaide is expected at 7:35pm on Friday, so if you head outside around and after then, you might catch a glimpse of the blood moon.
If you’re keen to check it out, the best places to view any sort of astronomical display are away from the city, where light pollution doesn’t interfere with the sky and mute the scenes. However, there are a few spots closer to home that will also do the job. Try lookouts or maybe one of Adelaide’s many beautiful beaches, for closer to home, consider Henley or Glenelg.
Why not make a night of it? Grab your nearest and dearest and head up to one of Adelaide’s great rooftop bars to view the lunar eclipse. Check out the best rooftop bars here in our guide, and find you’re perfect viewing spot.
Astrologically speaking, eclipses represent highly transformative times signifying endings and shifts in direction. This month’s blood full moon is in the sign of Virgo and may bring up themes relating to stubbornness and perfectionism.
With the next blood moon not expected for quite some time, this is a celestial event worth setting an alarm for!
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