Astronomy Picture of the Day

Explanation: When the sun sets on September 7,the Full Moon will rise.And on that date denizens around much of our fair planet,including parts of Antarctica, Australia, Asia, Europe, and Africacan witness a total lunar eclipse, with the Mooncompletely immersed in Earth's shadow.As the bright Full Moon first enters Earth's shadowit will darken, finally taking on areddish hue duringthe total eclipse phase.In fact, the color of the Moon during a total lunar eclipseis due to reddened light from sunrises and sunsetsaround planet Earth.The reddened sunlight is scattered by a dense atmosphere into the planet'sotherwise dark central shadow.When the sun set on August 22,this telephoto snapshot of red skies, blue sea, and the MangiabarcheLighthouse was captured from Sant'Antioco, Sardinia, Italy.