Have you ever looked up at the night sky and seen the moon turn a deep, rusty red? That's what happened during the latest blood moon event on September 7-8, 2025. This total lunar eclipse was a breathtaking sight for skywatchers around the world. In this simple blog post, we'll explore what made this event special, why the moon looked red, and where people could see it.
What Is a Blood Moon?
A blood moon is another name for a total lunar eclipse. During this eclipse, Earth moves between the sun and the moon, blocking direct sunlight from reaching the moon. But some light still gets through Earth's atmosphere, bending and scattering to give the moon that eerie red color. It's like watching a sunset projected onto the moon!
This isn't a rare event, but each one feels magical. The term "blood moon" comes from the reddish hue, which has inspired myths and stories for centuries.
The most recent blood moon took place overnight from September 7 to 8, 2025. It was the second total lunar eclipse of the year, following one in March. Totality—the peak when the moon was fully red—lasted for about an hour and 22 minutes, making it one of the longer ones in recent years. Stargazers shared amazing photos online, showing the moon glowing red against the stars.
The eclipse started around 1:28 a.m. WIB on September 8 and ended at 6:55 a.m. WIB, with the total phase from 2:30 a.m. to 3:52 a.m. WIB. Over seven billion people, or about 85% of the world’s population, had a chance to see It, depending on their location and weather. (Note: WIB is Western Indonesia Time, UTC+7.)
Why Does the Moon Turn Red?
The red color comes from sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere. Blue light scatters away (that's why the sky is blue during the day), leaving red and orange light to reach the moon. Dust, pollution, or even volcanic ash in the air can make the red shade deeper. During this eclipse, many viewers in places like Israel reported a vivid "blood moon" rising in the sky.
Where Was It Visible?
This blood moon was best seen from parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. In North America, it was mostly visible in the eastern regions during moonrise, but the western parts missed the total phase. For example, in Italy, people enjoyed clear views of the entire event. If you were in the path, you didn't need special equipment—just step outside and look up!
Read also: Rare Bamboo Ashtray that Burning
Fun facts and tips for future eclipses:
1. This was the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022.
2. The next blood moon won't happen until March 2026, so mark your calendars!
3. To capture great photos, use a tripod and a camera with manual settings. Or just enjoy it with your eyes—it's free!
Eclipses like this remind us how amazing our universe is. If you missed it, check out online galleries for stunning images shared by astronomers.
Sources:
https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2025-september-7
https://www.space.com/stargazing/lunar-eclipses/blood-moon-1st-pictures-september-7-2025-total-lunar-eclipse
https://www.timesofisrael.com/blood-moon-rises-in-skies-above-israel-during-total-lunar-eclipse/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Astronomy/comments/1nbbam1/sept_2025_lunar_eclipse_italy/
https://www.livescience.com/space/the-moon/where-can-you-see-the-sept-7-blood-moon-total-lunar-eclipse
0 Comments