Blood moon rises over Malawi

Residents of Soche and surrounding areas gathered outside their homes this evening to witness a rare celestial event: a total lunar eclipse that turned the moon a striking shade of red, popularly known as a “blood moon.”

At exactly 7:30 PM, the full moon darkening as Earth’s shadow passed over it.Families, students, and elders alike stepped outside to catch a glimpse. Many were seen pointing their phone cameras skyward, while others simply watched in awe.

Some residents recalled traditional beliefs, saying the red moon signified cleansing or renewal, while science enthusiasts explained it as sunlight bending through the Earth’s atmosphere during the eclipse.“ This is the first time I’ve seen the moon this red with my own eyes,” said Memory one resident of Soche East.

Astronomers note that while lunar eclipses are not uncommon, a full blood moon visible so clearly in Malawi is a rare spectacle, drawing together communities under the night sky.