Tonight is the super "blood moon", can we see it in Vietnam?

(Dan Tri) - Tonight and early tomorrow morning (September 8), the world will witness one of the most beautiful and widespread astronomical events, completely observable with the naked eye.

It was a total lunar eclipse, commonly known as a “blood moon.”

According to the Hanoi Astronomical Association (HAS), the entire lunar eclipse will last about 5 hours and 27 minutes, of which the total phase (when the Moon is completely submerged in the Earth's shadow) will last for 82 minutes.

This particular eclipse occurs about 2-6 days before the Moon reaches perigee (the closest point to Earth in its orbit), making the Moon appear larger and brighter than usual. Therefore, it is also called a super blood moon, marking a rare astronomical combination.

Why is it called "blood moon"?

The term “blood moon” comes from the way the Moon changes color during a total lunar eclipse. When the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow (umbra), direct sunlight cannot reach the Moon’s surface.

However, some of the light still makes its way through the Earth's atmosphere in a scientific phenomenon known as "Rayleigh scattering". This is what makes the daytime sky blue, and sunsets red.

Scientific explanation for the blood moon phenomenon that occurs during a total lunar eclipse (Photo: Science Alert).

This red-orange light, after being refracted by the Earth's shadow, shines on the Moon and creates a characteristic red color. NASA explains that this is the reason the Moon turns red, sometimes as dark as orange or brick brown, leading observers to call this phenomenon a "blood moon".

The meaning of the blood moon in folklore

Over time, in addition to its visual beauty, the blood moon has long been associated with many layers of meaning in culture and science. In Western folklore, the blood moon is sometimes seen as a sign of change, and is even associated with legends of the occult.

In the West, people believe that every time the Moon turns red, it is a sign of war, disease or the end of the world. Even the Bible mentions "The Moon turns red as blood" as a sign of judgment day.

The Maya saw a lunar eclipse as a scene of a jaguar swallowing the Moon, forcing people to pray, beat drums or make loud noises to scare away the spirit beast.

Photographer captured all phases of the total lunar eclipse that took place on December 20, 2010 (Photo: NASA).

In Chinese mythology, legend has it that a giant dragon swallowed the Moon, causing its light to disappear, and only when people performed a ritual was the Moon returned.

The Vikings of Northern Europe believed that the wolves Sköll and Hati were chasing the Moon, and when a lunar eclipse occurred, they bit it and dyed the sky red.

In Africa, some tribes believe that the blood moon is a sign of angry ancestral spirits, while in parts of South America, it is seen as a warning of impending death or transformation.

In East Asia, many communities regard lunar eclipses as symbols of reincarnation, reminders of the cyclical nature of nature.

Today, scientists exploit the blood moon as a “natural laboratory”. As sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the Moon, the characteristics of dust, water vapor, and pollution levels can directly affect the Moon’s red hue.

As a result, lunar eclipse observations provide data for studies of the Earth's atmosphere and climate change. Professor Noah Petro, a lunar scientist at NASA, once emphasized: "Every lunar eclipse is an opportunity to look at the Earth itself through the lens of the Moon."

Can it be observed in Vietnam?

According to the Hanoi Astronomical Society, Asia and Australia will be the lucky regions to observe the lunar eclipse from after midnight to before dawn on September 8 (Photo: HAS).

In Vietnam, astronomy enthusiasts can begin observing the Moon as it gradually enters penumbra, but the most impressive phase is from about 2am to nearly 4am, when the totality phenomenon occurs. At this time, the Moon will have a brilliant red-orange color, standing out in the late night sky.

However, whether or not the observation is favorable depends on weather conditions. If the sky is cloudy or rainy, the ability to admire with the naked eye will be limited.

Astronomers recommend that observers choose an open space with little artificial light for the best experience. Unlike Asia, the Americas will not be able to observe this phenomenon because the Moon will be below the horizon during the eclipse.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/dem-nay-dien-ra-sieu-trang-mau-o-viet-nam-co-quan-sat-duoc-20250907084126988.htm