Pitts said that the "blood moon" phrase was only recently attached to the phenomenon.
"It really was more of a public relations or public affairs kind of thing than it was anything else because you know the moon's color in eclipses can range anywhere from a tan or coppery color actually," Pitts said. "It could even occur in such a way that it just barely has any color at all. But when you get really deep lunar eclipses, like we've had a few of over the last couple of years, a really great way to promote that is if you attach the moniker onto it that it's a 'blood red' moon and that really engages people to go out and see it."
Moon, Mars won't appear to be same size
In a special treat, Mars is in opposition on Friday. That means the planet and the sun will be on exact opposite sides of the Earth and will shine its best.
Mars is also at its closest approach to Earth this week since 2003, making it appear bigger and brighter.
The moon will also be at the farthest point on its orbit from Earth, making its movement across the sky slower from our perspective, thus spending longer in the dark, according to AFP. NASA, meanwhile, has called out social media hoaxers claiming that Mars will appear as big as the moon during the eclipse.