Come watch the 'Blood Moon' with me
It glowed a fiery red, treating us skywatchers to the spectacle of its rare total eclipse.
I gasped when I saw it.
My jaw dropped as my eyes traced the Moon surfacing overhead.
I knew right then that our favourite satellite had finally slipped into Earth's shadow.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Now it glowed a fiery red, treating us skywatchers to the spectacle of its rare total eclipse.
At 9:28pm sharp, right on schedule. I wondered if this would cause my boss to wish all his coworkers were just as punctual.
I saw sky-gazers rush to their high-rise rooftops to witness the event, so surreal.
As the eclipse unfolded, the "Blood Moon" transformed from its usual silver glow to shades of copper and crimson, creating an otherworldly sight.
For the uninitiated, this total lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow fully across the lunar surface.
The red glow is caused by sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere, the same effect that makes sunsets appear red.
So no, it's not the dead communicating with the living. Or is it?
To uncover that mystery, I noticed from neighbours' windows how they turned away from their screens to peep out the window.
I guess the 9 o'clock drama series isn't as entertaining.
Here at home, the eclipse began at 9:28pm with a subtle penumbral phase, reached totality between 11:30pm and 12:53am, and ended by 2:55am on 8 September, lasting over five hours.
Awkward science nerd moment: Did you know this eclipse is one of the longest total lunar eclipses of the decade?
For centuries, lunar eclipses have held meaning. Omens of change, spiritual events, messages from beyond. You probably noticed the dramatic gust of wind, felt a cool breath on your shoulders?
Today, astronomers view them as opportunities to study Earth's atmosphere and light scattering, as the eclipse paints the Moon in colours that vary depending on dust and cloud cover on Earth.
It was visible in Asia, Australia, Africa, and Europe, though missed in North America.
As the eclipse ends, the Moon regains its familiar brightness.
If this celestial event was a moment of wonder for you, making you realise just how tiny we are beneath the vast, ever-changing sky, consider yourself fortunate.
