Kenyans were treated to a breathtaking spectacle on Sunday night as a rare lunar eclipse illuminated the skies across the country.
The phenomenon, witnessed in different regions, saw the moon creating a breathtaking view.
Many people across Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and other towns stepped outside their homes to witness the spectacle.
Social media platforms buzzed with photos of the eclipse as Kenyans shared their excitement.
The next total lunar eclipse visible in Kenya is expected to occur in a few years, making this event particularly special for sky watchers and astronomy enthusiasts.
A lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth is directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight and casting a shadow across the Moon's surface.
During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon is completely engulfed by Earth's shadow, often turning a striking red.
Before and after totality, the Moon passes through two other phases:
Penumbral lunar eclipse –A more subtle occurrence, where the Moon travels through the outer part of Earth's shadow, resulting in a faint dimming.
Partial lunar eclipse—when only a portion of the Moon passes into Earth's shadow, creating a visible dark segment.
Lunar eclipses are sometimes referred to as "Blood Moons" due to the Moon's reddish hue during the event.
This reddish appearance is the result of a phenomenon called "Rayleigh scattering" which also makes the sky blue and our sunsets red. It scatters more of the shorter blue wavelength light, allowing the longer red wavelength light to remain visible.
During a lunar eclipse, the light illuminating the Moon has passed through Earth's atmosphere.
It's as though every sunrise and sunset on Earth is being cast upon the lunar surface.
