This week's science news covers a blood moon and a 'pregnant' mummy. (Image credit: Gary Hershorn via Getty Images/Ł. Kownacki) Jump to:
This week, Earth witnessed a remarkable event that hasn't happened since 2022: a total lunar eclipse. The celestial spectacle gave astronomers a magnificent sight as our satellite turned a beautiful shade of red, known as a “blood moon.”
This unusual color appears during a total lunar eclipse due to the Rayleigh effect, which causes some wavelengths of light to scatter more than others. During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth completely blocks the sun's rays, but the light goes around the edge of our planet as it passes through the atmosphere. In the atmosphere, particles scatter the shorter-wavelength blue light, leaving behind the longer orange and red wavelengths that paint the moon its characteristic color.
If you missed this spectacular sight, you'll have another chance to see a total lunar eclipse this year, on September 7-8. However, the best views will be in Asia, while North America will remain largely unaffected. While you wait, enjoy these gorgeous blood moon photos taken this week, or try our Moon quiz to see how well you know our lunar companion.
'Pregnant' Mummy With 'Cancer' Ancient Egyptian 'Pregnant' Mummy With 'Cancer' Wasn't Actually Pregnant or Suffering from Cancer, New Research Shows
The mummy “Mysterious Lady” viewed through mixed reality reveals various aspects of the internal structure of her body.
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