What causes the “blood moon” to become bloody? And why are only some, but not all, bloody?
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That’s a great question! It’s because of Earth’s atmosphere. Even though Earth is between the Sun and Moon during a lunar eclipse, sunlight still filters through Earth’s atmosphere to fall on the Moon. Just like a sunrise or sunset, the red and blue ends of the spectrum are scattered differently by the air, with the blue scattering away so that only the red falls onto the Moon, turning it into a Blood Moon.
The differences in color are due to the conditions in Earth’s atmosphere at the time of the eclipse. The amount of dust and aerosols (natural or artificial) present on the exact date of the eclipse affect the way the light is scattered.
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Totality . The greatest Lunar eclipse I got to see was in 2008 if I recollect correctly . It was the most colorful 3D thing is ever seen through a telescope . I think I was out for about six hours that night . Started out with 3 moon filters stacked and gradually one by one removed them . At one point the thing looked like a snifter of red ale with a white foamy head on it . A grand night at the eyepiece for sure . If it’s not a total eclipse then it will only be red on part of the Lunar disk .
Nice one @Starrancher 
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Happy to hear that you saw it!
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I woke up around 1am and went outside for a bit and checked it out for a few minutes. Then again at 4am.
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Thanks . Yes it was a special night . I think I packed up about 3am .
Did you see the one in 2008 ?
I didn’t see it! I was only a one year old baby then! 
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We’ve had a few more since then but it’s always been cloudy or rainy every time .
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