What you really need to know about the mysterious and haunting blood moon
Total lunar eclipses -- or blood moons, as they're recently often called -- are some of the most haunting spectacles skywatchers get to see.
They occur when the Earth passes between the path of the sun and the moon. The moon on its own produces no natural light, simply reflecting the sun's light, and when the moon passes through the Earth's shadow the atmosphere creates a filter that leaves red light behind, much like a reddish sunset.
The term blood moon has become more popular recently thanks in part to pastor John Hagee, who penned the book "Four Blood Moons: Something Is About to Change" in 2013. His book includes claims that the latest tetrad of lunar eclipses -- a series of four which began on April 15, 2014 -- is a harbinger of change.
And boy, are people fascinated with blood moons. From pure awe to pure terror, people have a lot to say about the mysterious happening -- it even has a place in popular culture.
Click through the gallery below to see people's social conversations and snaps of recent blood moons!
The next blood moon, the fourth of the current tetrad, will occur on September 28. According to NASA people from India all the way across to Alaska will have a chance at spotting it, weather permitting. After that it will be another three years until anyone in the world can see one.
Click through the slideshow below to see some of the most spectacular lunar happens from the past few years!
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