Blood Red Moon

        

I woke up last night around 2.30 am as I often do. Remembering last night's television news, I looked outside for signs of the Supermoon lunar eclipse ... and there it was ... about a quarter of the moon nibbled away by the shadow cast across the moon's surface as sun, earth and moon gradually came into line.

This had us hooked. Cameras were grabbed, warm clothes put on and then we were outside in the cold and increasing dark waiting as the spectacle slowly unfolded. Slowly was the word ... the BBC broadcast hadn't prepared us for that ... but it was undeniably a spectacle.

I think we were the only people in our village awake and all was extraordinarily, unforgettably quiet. With lights off, uncountable stars were increasingly visible as the light from the full moon was blotted out by the earth's shadow. 

As the eclipse advanced the red glow increased - although in reality, it was not as vivid as is shown in these photographs. They are undoctored but the camera lens has intensified the colour. To the naked eye, it was a gentle dark brick red. I think, looking at these photos, that the cold overcame us before the most intense colour formed.

        

        

        

        

        

This particular sight will not be visible again until 2033 ... I know I'm glad we stood for over an hour watching it unfold. Next time, I might not be able or so willing!