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Longest Blood Moon eclipse soars over Bagram

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt, Kristin High
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
A sequence of the Blood Moon lunar eclipse photos were taken over Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 27, 2018. While lunar eclipses occur sporadically throughout the year, this particular one was the longest occurring eclipse in the 21st century. This was only feasible because the moon was near its farthest point from Earth and orbiting slowly, essentially making it take longer to travel through the Earth’s shadow. The Earth was also near its farthest point from the sun, making Earth’s shadow appear larger. The next total lunar eclipse will be Jan. 21, 2019 and will be visible to North America. (U.S. Air Force Illustration by Staff Sgt. Kristin High)