Comparison of average levels of
three total lunar eclipse images |
This composite shows the Moon at maximum totality during the three total lunar eclipses of Jan 31, 2018, Nov 8, 2022, and most recently Sep 7, 2025,
all photographed with the same equipment and exposure settings.
Since the maximum eclipse magnitudes of these events ranged from 1.32 to 1.36, essentially identical, the brightness of the Moon can be quantitatively compared across them.
The average R, G, and B levels were measured within the area indicated by the gray rectangles in the image and compared in the histogram shown to the right.
While the 2018 and 2022 eclipses had nearly the same brightness, the 2025 eclipse was only about half as bright.
It is known that the more aerosols (such as volcanic particles) present in Earth's stratosphere, the greater the scattering of sunlight,
reducing the amount of light reaching the lunar surface and thus darkening the Moon during totality.
This time, the total lunar eclipse appeared as a very dark crimson, to the point that the northern side of the Moon was barely visible through the viewfinder.
These results can suggest that the amount of aerosol in Earth's atmosphere had increased compared to the previous two events.
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