Lunar eclipse on September 7: Timings, best places to see 'Blood Moon'

Mumbai: Stargazers across India are set to witness a breathtaking celestial show on Sunday night as a total lunar eclipse, popularly called a “Blood Moon,” lights up the skies. The phenomenon, which occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align perfectly, will cast Earth’s shadow on the Moon, causing it to appear in a striking red hue.

According to Agence France-Presse, Asia—particularly India and China—will enjoy the best views of the eclipse. At the same time, it will also be visible in parts of eastern Africa and western Australia. Europe and Africa will catch a brief partial eclipse at moonrise, but the Americas will miss out completely.

The eclipse will begin with the penumbral phase at 10 pm IST on September 7, followed by the total phase starting at 11 pm IST. The Moon will remain fully eclipsed until 12.22 am IST on September 8.

Explaining the spectacle, Ryan Milligan, astrophysicist at Queen’s University Belfast, said the Moon turns red because Earth’s atmosphere filters out blue light and scatters it, allowing only red wavelengths to reach the lunar surface.

Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye, requiring no protective gear—just clear skies and a good vantage point.

This will be the second total lunar eclipse of the year, after the one in March, and the first visible since 2022. Milligan noted that the event serves as a prelude to a rare total solar eclipse slated for August 12, 2026, which will be seen across parts of Spain, Iceland, and other regions of Europe.