On the night of September 7 into the early hours of September 8, 2025, the world will be treated to a celestial spectacle: a total lunar eclipse, often called a "blood moon" for its dramatic red hue. This particular eclipse is already being hailed as one of the longest of the decade, with totality lasting an impressive 82 minutes. For skywatchers across Asia, Western Australia, and much of Europe and Africa, the event promises a rare and unforgettable show—while those in the Americas will have to wait until 2026 for their next chance.
According to reporting from The Economic Times, this will be the second total lunar eclipse of 2025, and it’s set to be visible to nearly 77% of the world’s population. The best seats in the house? Asia and Western Australia, where the moon will hang high in the sky during the peak of the eclipse, offering ideal viewing and photography conditions. As Phys.org notes, "Asia will have the best viewing opportunity for this eclipse," with the spectacle stretching from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines, as far north as the Arctic Ocean and down to Antarctica. Parts of East Africa and the western half of Australia will also be treated to the full show, while the rest of Africa, Australia, and Europe will catch at least some of the action.
But what exactly makes this lunar eclipse so special? For starters, the timing. The eclipse begins with the moon slipping into Earth’s penumbral shadow, causing a subtle dimming that’s easy to miss if you’re not paying close attention. As the moon moves deeper into Earth’s umbral shadow, a dark "bite" appears across its surface. Then, during totality, the moon transforms into a rich, red-orange orb—a phenomenon that has captured human imagination for centuries.
This red glow, as Space.com explains, is the result of Rayleigh scattering—the same effect that gives us fiery sunsets. Earth’s atmosphere filters out shorter blue wavelengths of sunlight, allowing only the longer red and orange wavelengths to pass through and bathe the lunar surface in color. The exact shade of the blood moon can vary, depending on atmospheric conditions at the time of the eclipse. This year, with the moon sitting deep within Earth’s umbra, astronomers expect a particularly rich, dark red.
The timing of the eclipse is also noteworthy. It occurs just 2.7 days before the moon reaches perigee—its closest point to Earth in its orbit. That means the moon will appear slightly larger than usual, adding an extra wow factor for those lucky enough to catch it in clear skies. As Time and Date and Space.com have highlighted, the eclipse will reach its maximum phase—when the moon is fully immersed in Earth’s shadow—at 5:11 p.m. EDT (21:11 GMT) on September 7.
For those eager to plan their viewing, here are some key timings for the total phase of the eclipse across major cities and time zones:
- London (BST): 7:30 p.m. – 7:52 p.m.
- Paris (CEST): 7:30 p.m. – 8:52 p.m.
- Cape Town (SAST): 7:30 p.m. – 8:52 p.m.
- Istanbul/Cairo/Nairobi (EEST/EAT): 8:30 p.m. – 9:52 p.m.
- Tehran (IRST): 9:00 p.m. – 10:22 p.m.
- Mumbai (IST): 11:00 p.m. – 12:22 a.m.
- Bangkok (ICT): 12:30 a.m. – 1:52 a.m.
- Beijing/Hong Kong/Perth (CST/HKT/AWST): 1:30 a.m. – 2:52 a.m.
- Tokyo (JST): 2:30 a.m. – 3:52 a.m.
- Sydney (AEST): 3:30 a.m. – 4:52 a.m.
In much of Europe, the moon will rise already in eclipse, making a clear horizon essential for the best view. In Berlin, for example, the moon rises at 7:37 p.m. CEST just as totality begins, while in London, the moon rises at 7:30 p.m. BST, shortly after the total phase starts. Observers in these regions will need to hope for cloudless skies and unobstructed views to catch the blood moon in all its glory.
But what if you’re not in the right place—or if the weather doesn’t cooperate? Don’t worry. As Space.com and The Economic Times both point out, the entire event will be livestreamed online for free, allowing anyone with an internet connection to watch the stages of the eclipse unfold in real time. For those in the Americas, who will miss this particular show, the next total lunar eclipse visible from North America will occur on March 2–3, 2026.
Lunar eclipses have long held scientific and cultural significance. In India, for instance, the event is known as Chandra Grahan and is steeped in spiritual meaning. Many people observe rituals such as fasting or avoiding certain activities during the eclipse, and some temples close until cleansing ceremonies are completed. The blood moon has also inspired countless myths, legends, and superstitions across cultures, often seen as an omen or a moment for reflection.
Scientifically, total lunar eclipses offer researchers a chance to study Earth’s atmosphere. As the sunlight passes through the atmosphere and onto the moon, scientists can analyze the light for clues about atmospheric composition and even pollutants. It’s a cosmic laboratory, right above our heads.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to view with the naked eye. No special glasses or filters are needed, though a telescope or binoculars can enhance the details—making the red surface and subtle shading even more striking. For photographers, a tripod and a camera with manual settings are recommended to capture the event’s stages, from the first faint dimming to the final return to brightness.
And for those with a taste for cosmic events, there’s more to come: just two weeks after the blood moon, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from New Zealand, a part of Australia, and Antarctica. The night sky, it seems, never runs out of surprises.
So, whether you’re standing in the shadow of skyscrapers in Mumbai, gazing out across the Outback in Western Australia, or tuning in from your living room via livestream, the blood moon of September 2025 is set to be a global event. With a bit of luck and clear skies, billions will come together under the same red moon—a reminder of our shared place in the cosmos, and the simple wonder of looking up.
