eli5: why does the Moon turn red during lunar eclipse

Question

eli5: why does the Moon turn red during lunar eclipse

In: 2

Answer 1

Because the sky is blue.

Lunar eclipse is when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon. Rays from the Sun are mostly blocked, and only [the ring on the outside](https://c.tadst.com/gfx/600×337/total-solar-eclipse.jpg?1) misses the Earth just so and maybe reaches the Moon.

Well the sky is blue because [air scatters “blue”](https://moon.nasa.gov/internal_resources/495/) from the Sun’s rays and redirects those blue rays towards the surface of the Earth or outwards. The rest of the light (reds and yellows) goes on to hit the Moon and light it up faintly.