"Astral phenomenon, 'Total Lunar Eclipse,' astounds spectators across Asia, Europe, and Africa, as the moon demonstrates a dramatic 'Blood Moon' appearance."

A series of celestial events has left stargazers in awe, with the latest total lunar eclipse taking place on September 8, and a rare total solar eclipse set to grace the skies in 2026.

The total lunar eclipse, which lasted from 1730 GMT to 1852 GMT, was a spectacle that could be seen in many parts of the world, except for the Americas. Europe and Africa, in particular, had a clear view of the event, with some countries experiencing a significant partial eclipse.

In Spain, the totality was visible in a roughly 160-kilometre band between Madrid and Barcelona. However, neither of these cities got to witness the full solar eclipse phenomenon in 2022, which was the one before the recent lunar eclipse.

The Moon during the eclipse appeared an eerie, deep red color, a sight that has astounded humans for millennia. This red hue is due to sunlight being reflected and scattered through the Earth's atmosphere, with blue wavelengths of light more easily dispersed during this process.

Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at Queen's University Belfast, explained the cause of the Moon's red color, stating, "The Earth's atmosphere scatters short-wavelength light, like blue and green, more than long-wavelength light, like red and orange. This is why the Moon appears red during a total lunar eclipse."

In more exciting news, stargazers in Europe and Africa will get another brief chance to witness a partial solar eclipse on August 12, 2026. This eclipse will be a rare total solar eclipse, visible only in a sliver of Europe, including Spain and Iceland, while Greenland will only experience a small partial view, and other European countries will see it only partially.

Interestingly, the next total solar eclipse visible in mainland Europe will be since 2006. On August 12, 2026, the totality of the upcoming solar eclipse will be visible only in Spain and Iceland, making it a must-see event for stargazers in these regions.

All that is required to see a lunar or solar eclipse is clear weather and being in the right spot. So, mark your calendars for August 12, 2026, and get ready to witness one of nature's most awe-inspiring spectacles.

"Astral phenomenon, 'Total Lunar Eclipse,' astounds spectators across Asia, Europe, and Africa, as the moon demonstrates a dramatic 'Blood Moon' appearance."