August 15, 2025 | 05:06 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In just about a month, the world will witness a rare celestial event: a blood moon. This striking phenomenon, which occurs during a total lunar eclipse, will bathe the moon in an eerie red glow, visible to over 7 billion people worldwide.
However, the best views will be reserved for parts of Asia and Western Australia. Skywatchers in the U.S. are unlikely to see it, while Europe, Africa, New Zealand, and eastern Australia may still catch a partial glimpse.
As seasoned astronomers and curious minds alike gear up for the cosmic spectacle, Tempo English breaks down everything you need to know about the September blood moon. Read on for the complete guide.
What Is a Blood Moon?
According to Daily Galaxy, a blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse, essentially another name for the same phenomenon. As noted by Space.com, This celestial event happens when the Earth aligns perfectly between the sun and the moon, causing the moon to fall entirely within Earth’s shadow. Of all lunar eclipse that typically happen once every 18 months, only a few of those are classified as blood moons.
Why Is the Moon Red?
As Yahoo! News highlights, a blood moon appears red due to how sunlight strikes the moon's surface after passing through the atmosphere. When the shorter blue wavelengths are scattered, the longer red and orange wavelengths continue through and reach the moon. So, even as the Earth casts its shadow over the moon, the red and orange hue from the sun can still sneak through the atmosphere and illuminate the moon, giving it its eerie crimson hue.
However, the intensity of that red hue can vary. According to Space.com, several factors influence the color, including atmospheric conditions like pollution, volcanic ash, and the sun’s position during the eclipse. A darker, deeper red may occur when the moon travels through the densest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra.
What Will Happen on September 7, 2025?
On September 7, 2025, a total lunar eclipse, which led to a blood moon, will be visible across much of the world. According to Space.com, the September blood moon will occur between 15:28 and 20:55 GMT, with totality expected to last an impressive 82 minutes.
In addition to that, since the September blood moon occurs just 2.7 days before the moon reaches perigee (its closest point to Earth), it will appear slightly larger in the sky and take on a darker hue during the eclipse.
Where Will the September 2025 Blood Moon Be Visible?
The September blood moon will be visible to around 77% of the world’s population. Regions across Asia, such as India, China and Japan, as well as Western Australia are expected to reserve the full view, with visibility from start to finish. Meanwhile, New Zealand, Africa, and Europe, in particular cities like London, Paris, and Berlin, are likely to catch at least a partial glimpse of the blood moon. As for the U.S., the occurrence will not be observable.
Here’s when totality will occur in some key cities:
- Perth, Australia: 1:30 to 2:52 a.m. AWST on Monday, September 8, 2025
- Mumbai, India: 11:00 p.m. IST on Sunday, September 7, 2025 to 12:22 a.m. IST on Monday, September 8, 2025
- Cairo: 8:30 to 9:52 p.m. EEST on Sunday, September 7, 2025
- Cape Town, South Africa: 7:30 to 8:52 p.m. SAST on Sunday, September 7, 2025
- Jakarta, Indonesia: 12:30 to 1:52 a.m. WIB September 8, 2025
- Denpasar, Bali: 01:30 to 02:52 a.m. WITA September 8, 2025
Since the listed times are for totality only, starting your watch about 75 minutes earlier will give you a fuller experience. Doing so lets you catch the moment Earth’s shadow begins its slow crawl across the moon. And if you stay after totality, the impeccable view of when the moon slowly returns to its light can also be seen.
How Do You See a Blood Moon?
Seeing a blood moon is as effortless as it is. Without any special equipment required, you can simply just go out and look up. But if any binoculars or a small telescope are available, using them can elevate the experience, as the moon’s details may be revealed.
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