Tomorrow, the World Prepares to Witness a Rare and Spectacular Astronomical Phenomenon: the "Blood Moon"
A total lunar eclipse will occur, giving the Moon a reddish hue, and will be clearly visible on Sunday, September 7, 2025, primarily in Asia, but also in the Arab world, Europe, and Africa.
What is a "Blood Moon"?
This incredible transformation, which gives the Moon its blood-red color, occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are perfectly aligned, with the Moon in its full moon phase. The eclipse will begin at 15:28 GMT, with the best viewing conditions expected in India, China, East Africa, and western Australia.
The Science Behind the "Blood Moon"
As the Moon sinks into the Earth's shadow, which blocks the Sun's rays, it will gradually lose its bright white light and take on a reddish color. According to Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at the University of Belfast, the only sunlight that reaches the Moon is that which is "reflected and scattered through the Earth's atmosphere." Since blue light has shorter wavelengths than red light, it is more easily dispersed as it passes through our atmosphere.
Why the Moon Turns Red
This phenomenon gives the Moon its reddish color, "similar to that of blood," explains Milligan. Unlike solar eclipses, which require special glasses, all you need to enjoy this spectacle is a clear sky, a cloudless night, and to be in the right location.
Upcoming Astronomical Events
This total lunar eclipse, the second of the year after the one in March, will be a prelude to the major solar eclipse scheduled for August 12, 2026.
