Photographers often find that the most remarkable images can come from everyday locations. Andrew McCarthy proves this with his exquisite capture of a Blood Moon eclipse, taken from the parking lot of a Quality Inn in Florida.
Understanding the Blood Moon Eclipse
The recent lunar eclipse, occurring on August 28, 2026, saw Earth’s shadow obscure 96% of the Moon‘s surface, casting it in a deep crimson shade. This occurs because sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere scatters blue light and refracts red light onto the Moon, creating the striking color.
McCarthy, an experienced astrophotographer, faced challenges like bright streetlights during the capture. Yet, he achieved a breathtaking image of the Moon, accented by a glimpse of sunlight around its edge. “My philosophy is simple: the best stargazing spot is a mountaintop. The second best is wherever you are,” McCarthy explains. His approach: make the most of available conditions. Remarkably, even a smartphone can capture decent images during such events.
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To craft the final image, McCarthy stacked 30 photos taken in quick succession to keep the Moon’s shadow consistent. He used exposure settings ranging from 1/1000 to 4 seconds to closely mimic the range of human vision. With just 4% of the Moon outside Earth’s shadow, the red hue was visible to the eye, but camera sensors enhanced it further.
McCarthy nearly missed the shot due to cloudy skies forecasted for Arizona, Texas, and Florida. Fortunately, Florida’s skies cleared just in time, allowing him to capture the Moon’s mesmerizing display. Though a short print run was completed over the weekend, those interested in future prints can keep up with McCarthy on Threads, X, or Instagram, or subscribe to his newsletter via his website.
Source: petapixel.com
Frequently asked questions
Where was the Blood Moon eclipse photo taken?
The Blood Moon eclipse photo was taken from the parking lot of a Quality Inn in Florida.
How did Andrew McCarthy capture the Blood Moon images?
Andrew McCarthy captured the Blood Moon images by stacking 30 photos taken in quick succession to keep the Moon’s shadow consistent, with exposure settings ranging from 1/1000 to 4 seconds.
Why does the Moon appear red during a lunar eclipse?
The Moon appears red during a lunar eclipse because sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere scatters blue light and refracts red light onto the Moon, creating the striking crimson color.