Total Lunar Eclipse Paints Full Moon Blood Red

Late Saturday night, a total lunar eclipse transformed the full Harvest Moon into a fiery Blood Moon, visible across Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia.

A rare celestial alignment plunged the Moon fully into Earth’s umbral shadow, turning it a deep red for 82 minutes of totality and offering skywatchers an extended spectacle.

Eclipse Essentials

  • Date & Time: Penumbral eclipse began Sep. 7 at 15:28 UTC; totality ran from 17:30 to 18:52 UTC, ending the event at 20:55 UTC.
  • Duration: Overall eclipse lasted 5 h 27 m; total phase lasted 1 h 22 m.
  • Visibility: Entire eclipse visible across Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe; rising moonviews in eastern Europe and Africa; setting-phase visible over the central Pacific.

Why It Mattered

This was one of the longest total lunar eclipses in a decade, thanks to the Moon’s near-apogee, which slowed its orbital speed, and its central path through Earth’s shadow. Observers enjoyed a prolonged view as scattered sunlight refracted red wavelengths onto the lunar surface.

Global Impact

  • Wide Reach: Approximately 85.9% of the world’s population could witness at least some of the total phase.
  • Photographer’s Dream: The extended red phase provided ample opportunity for both amateur and professional lunar photography.
  • Cultural Significance: Many communities marked the Blood Moon with festivals and gatherings, celebrating its rare timing during harvest season.

How It Happened

Earth blocked direct sunlight from reaching the Moon, with only refracted red light-filtered by our atmosphere-illumining the lunar surface. As the Moon traversed the umbra, it underwent these stages:

  • Penumbral Phase: Subtle dimming as Moon entered penumbra
  • Partial Phase: Progressive darkening as Moon intruded into the umbra
  • Totality (Blood Moon): Full immersion in the umbra, red hue appearing
  • Exit Phases: Mirror of entry, ending with penumbral exit and full brightness return

This Blood Moon will not be eclipsed again until March 3, 2026, making tonight’s spectacle a highlight for skywatchers worldwide.