The red moon in Hechi

The red moon in Hechi at 19:30 on Oct 8 [Photo by Quan Sheng/hcwang.cn]

The only total lunar eclipse of this year occurred on Oct 8, making the moon turn red. However, affected by a light fog, the moon didn’t show up until 19:28 in Hechi, Guangxi. At that moment, the total lunar eclipse had just finished and a little part of the moon became shiny, showing its shocking beauty. This total lunar eclipse is reckoned to be the most beautiful one in the past four years.

The “red moon” is an astronomical phenomenon generated by a total lunar eclipse. When a total lunar eclipse occurs, the moon does not disappear from view, but turns the color of antique brass, which is caused by solar lightwaves penetrating the earth’s atmosphere and then being refracted down onto the moon.