Lunar Eclipses: A Beginner’s Guide

There’s something breathtaking about a lunar eclipse. The familiar silver disc of the Moon slowly darkens, glowing orange or deep red until it looks like a cosmic ember hanging in the sky. Ancient cultures feared it, astronomers adore it, and photographers scramble to capture it. But what’s really happening when the Moon goes red? And how can you, with a camera or telescope, record this celestial event? Let’s dive into the science, the myths, the Moon’s natural rhythm, and the art of photographing a lunar eclipse.

What Is a Lunar Eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow onto the lunar surface. Think of it as cosmic geometry in action:

• Sunlight normally reflects off the Moon, making it shine brightly at night.

• During an eclipse, Earth blocks that sunlight. Instead of going dark completely, the Moon is bathed in reddish light refracted through Earth’s atmosphere.

This can only happen at Full Moon, when the Moon is directly opposite the Sun in our sky. However, because the Moon’s orbit is tilted about 5 degrees relative to Earth’s orbit around the Sun, most months the alignment isn’t quite right, the Moon slips above or below Earth’s shadow. When the alignment is perfect, the stage is set for a lunar eclipse.

Stages of a Lunar Eclipse

A lunar eclipse unfolds gradually, often over a few hours. Observers can watch each stage with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope.

1. Penumbral Eclipse – Subtle Beginnings

The Moon first enters Earth’s penumbra, the outer part of the shadow. The change is faint: the Moon looks slightly dimmer or tinged, as though someone smeared charcoal dust over part of it. Many casual observers miss this stage.

2. Partial Eclipse – The Cosmic Bite

As the Moon moves deeper, Earth’s umbra (the darkest central shadow) begins to creep across the surface. This is when it looks like a giant invisible being is slowly taking bites out of the Moon. For photographers, this is when the contrast is most striking.

3. Total Eclipse – The Blood Moon

When the Moon is fully inside the umbra, we see the famous “Blood Moon”. Instead of vanishing, it glows red, orange, or even coppery brown. This happens because Earth’s atmosphere bends and filters sunlight. Blue light scatters (that’s why our sky is blue during the day), while red and orange wavelengths curve around Earth and softly illuminate the Moon. In other words, during a total lunar eclipse, the Moon is lit by every sunrise and sunset on Earth happening at once.

4. Partial Eclipse (Encore)

The shadow retreats, slowly uncovering the Moon. It’s like watching time in reverse as the bright crescent grows again.

5. Penumbral Eclipse (Final Fade)

The Moon drifts back through the faint penumbra until it regains its familiar silver glow. By now, most casual viewers are tucked in bed — but astrophotographers who stuck it out have memory cards full of treasures.

Why the Blood Moon Isn’t Always the Same Colour

Not all eclipses look identical. The shade of red depends on conditions in Earth’s atmosphere:

• After volcanic eruptions, ash can make eclipses appear much darker.

• A clear, dust-free atmosphere produces brighter orange or copper tones.

• Urban haze or smoke (hello, bushfire season) can also affect visibility and colour.

Astronomers actually rate eclipses using the Danjon scale (L0 = very dark, almost invisible, through to L4 = bright copper-red).

The Moon in Mythology and Folklore

Long before astronomy textbooks, humans turned to myth to explain eclipses.

• Inca legend: A jaguar attacked and ate the Moon during an eclipse. People would make noise to scare it off.

• China: Ancient texts describe a dragon devouring the Moon. Citizens would bang drums to chase the dragon away.

• Hindu mythology: The demon Rahu was said to swallow the Moon, causing eclipses.

• European superstitions: A red Moon was often linked to war, plague, or the wrath of gods.

Even today, eclipses stir imaginations. They symbolise endings, transformations, and cycles of renewal in astrology and modern storytelling.

The Moon’s Normal Cycles

To understand eclipses, it helps to know the Moon’s regular routine:

• New Moon – invisible, close to the Sun in the sky.

• Waxing Crescent – slim curve of light grows.

• First Quarter – half the Moon is illuminated.

• Waxing Gibbous – nearly full.

• Full Moon – fully lit, opposite the Sun.

• Waning Gibbous – light fades.

• Last Quarter – another half Moon.

• Waning Crescent – the last sliver before going dark.

This cycle takes about 29.5 days (a synodic month). A lunar eclipse is the rare twist, happening only at Full Moon and when the orbital tilt lines up perfectly.

The Science of Shadows

Let’s get slightly technical. Earth casts two shadows:

• Umbra – the dark, central shadow where the Sun is completely blocked.

• Penumbra – the outer, lighter shadow where only part of the Sun is blocked.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon is fully inside the umbra. A partial eclipse happens when only part of it dips in. A penumbral eclipse is the subtle one where the Moon never reaches the umbra, just brushing the outer shadow.

Fun fact: unlike solar eclipses (which are brief and visible from limited locations), lunar eclipses are visible anywhere on Earth where the Moon is above the horizon. Everyone on the night side of Earth gets the show.

How to Photograph a Lunar Eclipse

Here’s the juicy part for astrophotographers. Whether you’re wielding a telescope, a DSLR, or just a trusty smartphone, you can capture a lunar eclipse with the right approach.

1. Essential Gear

• Tripod – rock-solid stability is key.

• DSLR or mirrorless camera (or telescope with camera attachment).

• Telephoto lens – 200mm or longer gives good Moon detail.

• Remote shutter release or intervalometer – reduces shake and allows time-lapse sequences.

2. Camera Settings

• During bright phases (partial eclipse): Start around ISO 200–400, aperture f/8, shutter 1/125s.

• During totality (Blood Moon): Light drops dramatically. Use ISO 800–1600, aperture f/4–f/5.6, and shutter speeds from 1 to 4 seconds.

• Always bracket exposures (take multiple shots at different settings) — the lighting changes constantly. This will also allow you to stack images to avoid any overexposed areas of the moon.

3. Through a Telescope

Attach your camera with a T-ring and adapter for prime focus astrophotography. A motorised equatorial mount will track the Moon’s movement across the sky, preventing blur during longer exposures.

Pro tip: The Moon looks brighter than you expect. Don’t be afraid to shorten exposures during the partial phases to preserve surface detail.

4. Time-Lapse Photography

Want to make your friends jealous? Create a time-lapse:

• Set your intervalometer to take an image every 1–2 minutes for the whole eclipse.

• Later, stitch them together in editing software.

• The result: the Moon slides gracefully into shadow, reddens, and emerges again in a cinematic sequence.

5. Wide-Angle and Landscape Shots

You don’t always need to zoom in. Wide-angle shots showing the eclipsed Moon rising over a landscape, city skyline, or iconic landmark can be stunning. Use longer exposures to balance the foreground with the dim Moon.

6. Smartphones

Yes, it’s possible! With a telephoto attachment or clip-on lens, you can get decent results. Apps that allow manual control of ISO and shutter speed are essential. Without them, your phone will struggle, but you can still capture atmospheric wide shots of the eclipse with your surroundings.

Safety Note

Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are 100% safe to view with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope. No filters needed. The only danger is cloud cover and disappointment.

Why Lunar Eclipses Matter

Beyond being Instagram-worthy, eclipses are scientifically important. Astronomers have used them to:

• Study Earth’s atmosphere (the way light bends during totality reveals information about aerosols and dust).

• Measure the size and shape of Earth’s shadow, confirming Earth is round (sorry, flat-Earthers).

• Inspire public interest in astronomy, they’re one of the most accessible celestial events for beginners.

A lunar eclipse is a perfect mix of science, storytelling, and spectacle. The dance between the Sun, Earth, and Moon is a reminder that we’re passengers in a vast cosmic ballet. From jaguar myths to astrophotography time-lapses, humanity has always looked up in awe at these events.

So, when the next eclipse rolls around, don’t just glance at it. Set up your tripod, grab a warm drink, and share the experience with a friend. Whether you capture a crisp close-up through your telescope or a wide shot of the Moon glowing red above your backyard, you’ll be part of a tradition as old as humanity itself: telling stories under an eclipsed Moon.