September promises to be a thrilling month for astronomy enthusiasts as a blood moon total lunar eclipse is set to occur on Sunday, September 7. Those of us in the UK and western Europe might catch a glimpse of totality as the Moon rises, though we won’t witness the complete spectacle.
This will mark the longest total eclipse since 2022 and is sure to feature prominently in every space enthusiast’s diary. When describing what constitutes a total lunar eclipse, NASA explains: “The Moon moves into the inner part of Earth’s shadow, or the umbra. Some of the sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere reaches the Moon’s surface, lighting it dimly.”
They add: “Colours with shorter wavelengths ― the blues and violets ― scatter more easily than colours with longer wavelengths, like red and orange. Because these longer wavelengths make it through Earth’s atmosphere, and the shorter wavelengths have scattered away, the Moon appears orangish or reddish.”
September’s full moon is traditionally called the Corn Moon, meaning next month’s full moon will also be a total lunar eclipse, creating what’s known as a “Corn Moon eclipse.”
The optimal viewing locations for the complete September 7, 2025 Blood Moon total lunar eclipse will be across Asia, western Australia and the far eastern regions of Africa. This celestial spectacle can also be witnessed in Antarctica, the western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Throughout a total lunar eclipse, the Moon typically transforms into a deep, dark red colour as it’s lit by light that has travelled through Earth’s atmosphere and been redirected towards the Moon through refraction.
According to Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG), on September 7, the Moon will appear above the horizon just in time for observers in the UK to witness this total lunar eclipse. The peak will take place at 7.33pm BST from the UK, with the eclipse’s true maximum at 7.11pm when the Moon remains below the horizon.
The Moon will subsequently “gradually move out of Earth’s umbra” and penumbra until 9.55pm. Since the Moon will be positioned low on the horizon and rather challenging to observe, RMG recommend locating an elevated spot with an unobstructed view towards the East to catch the best glimpse of this eclipse.
A lunar eclipse occurs between two to five times a year, with a total lunar eclipse taking place at least twice every three years. Given that Earth is approximately four times broader than the Moon, its shadow can obscure the moon for up to five hours depending on conditions.
NASA has offered guidance on proper stargazing techniques, suggesting you require dark skies away from city lights to observe more stars. The space agency states: “Getting farther way from population centres is key. There are some other factors that can enhance your stargazing. Being at higher altitude helps, because you’ll be above the dense air at low altitudes that contains hazes, fog, and smoke that mask your view of the stars.”
In contrast to a solar eclipse, lunar eclipses pose no danger when observed with the naked eye. This safety comes from the fact that lunar eclipses merely reflect sunlight – they never become brighter than a full Moon.
Future lunar eclipses:
- September 7, 2025 – Total (visible in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia)
- March 3, 2026 – Total (visible in East Asia, Australia, Pacific, Americas)
- August 28, 2026 – Partial (visible in East Pacific, Americas, Europe, Africa)
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