A blood moon will be visible during the total lunar eclipse taking place on  Sunday night. In Kerala, the reddish moon can be seen after 10 pm. The astronomical society Astro Kerala is organising a lunar observation event under the title Chandrotsavam 2025 to mark the occasion. The state-level gathering will be held at Parachal Bypass in Kottayam.

The phenomenon of the moon turning red during a total lunar eclipse is popularly called the blood moon.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon. Although the Earth’s shadow completely covers the Moon, part of the sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere and undergoes refraction and scattering. The shorter wavelengths—violet, blue and green—are scattered away by fine particles in the atmosphere, preventing those colours from reflecting on the Moon.

Meanwhile, the longer wavelengths—orange and red—are less affected by scattering, allowing them to reach the Moon’s surface and reflect back to us. This is why, instead of vanishing completely, the Moon appears a dim red during the total eclipse.

If weather conditions remain favourable, the lunar eclipse will be visible from 10 pm onwards on Sunday night. It can be seen in India, China, Japan, Western Australia, Europe, Africa and New Zealand. The eclipse is expected to last for about 82 minutes. For details of the lunar observation programme in Kottayam, call 9656556030.

Timings in Kerala (local variations may occur):

  • 8.58 pm – Eclipse begins
  • 9.57 pm – Partial eclipse begins
  • 11.00 pm – Total eclipse begins
  • 11.41 pm – Maximum phase of the eclipse
  • 12.22 am – Total eclipse ends
  • 1.26 am – Partial eclipse ends
  • 2.25 am – Eclipse ends