A total lunar eclipse turned the moon a deep coppery red across the Western Hemisphere early Friday.
The Earth cast a shadow that completely blocked the moon during the overnight hours, with peak viewing in the Chicago area occurring around 2 a.m.
The natural phenomenon, often called a “blood moon,” required no special equipment to view, as bits of sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere created the distinctive red glow.
Stargazers at Montrose Harbor take photos of the moon during a lunar eclipse early Friday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The lunar eclipse nears totality over the Chicago area early Friday. A total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth, sun and moon align in a way that the moon passes directly through Earth’s shadow.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Stargazers at Montrose Harbor take photos of the moon during a lunar eclipse early Friday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The lunar eclipse reaches totality over the Chicago area early Friday. The full moon is covered during a total eclipse and takes on a coppery red color because of stray bits of sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Stargazers at Montrose Harbor take photos of the moon during a lunar eclipse early Friday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A group of people at Montrose Harbor take photos of the moon during a lunar eclipse early Friday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The lunar eclipse reaches totality over the Chicago area early Friday. Lunar and solar eclipses happen anywhere from four to seven times a year, according to NASA. The next one will be in March 2026.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
