Total Lunar Eclipse Paints Moon Blood-Red Across Eastern Hemisphere

Skywatchers from Eastern Africa through Asia and Australia witnessed a “Blood Moon” total lunar eclipse tonight, September 7, 2025, as Earth’s shadow enveloped the full Moon in deep red hues.

The rare celestial event-visible in its entirety across much of Africa, Asia, Australia and parts of Europe-offered a dramatic demonstration of Earth’s atmospheric refraction filtering sunlight into the lunar disk, captivating billions and reminding observers of the interconnectedness of planetary motions.

Eclipse Overview

• Penumbral eclipse began at 15:28 UTC, with the Moon entering Earth’s faint outer shadow.
• Partial eclipse commenced at 16:27 UTC as the lunar surface slid into the darker umbral shadow.
• Totality lasted from 17:30 UTC to 18:52 UTC, turning the Moon a coppery red for 82 minutes.

Visibility and Local Timings

Observers in Western Australia and Eastern Asia enjoyed the full sequence from start to finish, while much of Europe and eastern Africa caught the eclipse at moonrise as the crimson orb climbed above the horizon. In the Americas, the Moon remained below the horizon, rendering the phenomenon invisible to North and South American skywatchers.

Why the Moon Turns Red

During totality, sunlight traverses Earth’s atmosphere, where shorter blue wavelengths are scattered out and longer red wavelengths bend into the umbra. This Rayleigh scattering effect projects every sunrise and sunset onto the lunar surface, resulting in the characteristic “Blood Moon” coloration.

Expert Commentary

“A total lunar eclipse is a vivid reminder of our planet’s shadow play,” said Dr. Elena Vasquez of the International Astronomical Union. “This event also highlights atmospheric conditions-dust and aerosols can deepen or pall the red tint you see.”

Looking Ahead

The next total lunar eclipse visible from the Americas will occur on March 3, 2026, offering Western Hemisphere observers a chance to witness the spectacle without relying on live streams.