Why Moon is Red in Color? Antwerp Skies Belgium
Could you guess this is a setting moon? I woke up early to capture a good sunrise in Antwerp, Belgium and instead ended up with the capture of this setting moon. The moon was bright red in color, just like the color of sun during sunsets and sunrises.
The eastern skies were cloudy dashing all my hopes of a good sunrise capture. And it was long after ten in the morning I got a glimpse of sun peeping from clouds much later in day.
The color of the moon surprised me. I have seen yellow moons and read many poems inspired by yellow moons… but a red moon!
Why Moon is Red Antwerp Skies
I looked up on why the moon is red in color. It is amazing! There is quite a lot of science behind this phenomenon.
As you look up the sky at moon, the atmosphere partially blocks your view. The particles in the atmosphere have the property to scatter certain wavelengths of light. They permit other wavelengths to get through directly. When Moon is low in sky, just rising or setting, its light goes through larger atmospheric range than when it is directly up. Light on the blue end of the spectrum is scattered away, while the red light isn’t scattered. This makes Moon looks more red.
It is called Rayleigh’s Scattering of light through atmosphere. The same explanation as offered for why sunsets appear red. Also read my post why the sky is blue in color?
This picture of red moon is taken from my hotel room which is facing the Antwerp port. Date: 6th April 2012.
Setting Moon ? Never thought about it. Good shot
wow! a sunrise moon!
yes, i haven't seen one either so this would a first too.
stellar shot here Indrani.
Beautiful & enchanting
What a wonderful image, Indrani! Very nice the red moon in the night landscape!
I haven't seen or heard of a red moon! They look fiery, gorgeous!
Native Americans gave all the full moons names. The name for April's full moon is the Pink Moon – a form of red. 🙂
Lovely shot!
I've never seen the moon so red (unless the clouds around it were reddish! Great capture, Indrani!
Lovely moon shot, Indrani. I have seen such moons here in Australia, also. And then of course there is the well-known NEapolitan song "Luna Rossa" (Red Moon)! 🙂
So you are in the country where I live ? I have never seen such a red moon ! That's amazing and quiet unusual !
That's a good captured friend.
Awesome, like a glowing ember!
A red moon -how wonderful!
Glad you enjoyed Disneyland in Paris – we had a great time there last year.
Lovely…
chennaiflowerplaza.com
Gorgeous!!! Nice capture
Hugs
SueAnn
What a shot! Capturing sunrise is always rejuvenating, but am sure that it must have felt great to capture this rare phenomenon.
Awesome shot!!
http://www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com
I really like that picture you has been a wonderful moon, delicious colors, great.
Beautiful shot.
Sydney – City and Suburbs
Oh what a gorgeous moon shot. I'm glad you set out with your camera at that time.
wow a great capture!
That's a beautiful moon.
Wonderful to see..
Just beautiful, Indrani! I think it is especially pretty to see a colorful moon. Great capture.
Gorgeous capture!
My Sky Shots. Wishing you a great weekend!
never heard nor seen a red moon before this post. thanks. lucky you.
I heard of red moon, but I've never seen one! Lucky you 🙂
Great shot of the amazing moon.
I've never seen a red moon before.
Great capture of the moon. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
This is amazing. I haven't seen a red moon in person, but I really like your photo.
That's a gorgeous shot of the setting moon.
You and I have both caught a setting moon the same way — I posted mine last week! But your colors are much more dramatic than mine! Awesome capture for the day, Indrani!! Have a beautiful weekend!
Sylvia