The first Blood Moon in a series of four happened this morning – but was only visible in the Americas.
The lunar eclipse phenomenon occurs as the Earth’s shadow passes over the face of the moon, turning it a dark red colour.
Some religious premonitions are suggesting that the cosmic event could trigger a “hugely significant event”.
So far, nothing earth-trembling has been reported – but just in case an end of days scenario does happen, make sure you relive the spectacular visual event with our gallery of pictures after the story.
Here’s all you need to know about the Blood Moon.
What is it?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in the shadow of Earth. This is an area known as the umbra, where light from the Sun is blocked by our planet.
When the light refracts differently in the atmosphere and hits the moon, it makes it appear red. During a total eclipse, the entire moon is in shadow and it appears ‘blood red’.
But when it skirts the shadow, known as a partial or penumbral eclipse, the effect is less dramatic.
Rare: The Blood Moon (Photo Credit: Rex)
When is it?
Today is the start of the ‘Tetrad’ – a series of lunar eclipses. The four Blood Moons are followed by six full moons and the cycle ends in September 2015.
The second is on October 8, the third will be on April 4, 2015 and the final one happens on September 28, 2015.
A NASA spokesman said: “This is the first eclipse of the year and is well placed for observers throughout the Western Hemisphere.
What else do I need to know?
The chance alignment has only happened three times in the last 500 years.
According to pastor John Magee, who has written a book on the subject, on each of those occasions a religiously significant event has occurred.
The first Tetrad of those, in 1493, saw the expulsion of Jews by the Catholic Spanish Inquisition, while the second, in 1949, saw the creation of the state of Israel after years of confrontation and struggle
The Six-Day Arab-Israeli War marked the third, in 1967 – far earlier than had been expected.
Some are predicting that this latest series will mark the end of the world.
Mr Magee said: “This is not something that some religious think tank has put together.”
Some Christians believe the ‘Tetrad’, the appearance of four ‘blood-red moons’, means the end of days is nigh – relive the cosmic event with our stunning gallery
If the Bible is to believed then the Tetrad could even signal the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Joel 2:31 says: “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD comes.”
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
