Your Ultimate Guide to Experiencing the Spectacular Total Lunar Eclipse and Blood Moon on September 7

On September 7, a spectacular total lunar eclipse will unfold, giving many the chance to observe a striking “blood moon.” This event occurs when Earth moves between the sun and the full moon, casting a shadow on the moon. Instead of vanishing, the moon takes on a deep red hue due to a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering.

So, why does the moon turn red? Sunlight, which seems white, is actually made up of various colors, each with different wavelengths. When the light passes through Earth’s atmosphere, shorter wavelengths (blue light) scatter away from the shadow, while longer wavelengths (red light) bend inward, illuminating the moon during the eclipse.

This eclipse, unlike one earlier in March that was best viewed from the U.S., will be visible in parts of Asia, central and eastern Africa, and Australia. According to NASA, the total eclipse phase, when the moon appears blood-red, will start at 17:30 UTC and reach its peak at 18:11 UTC. A handy city lookup tool on Timeanddate.com can help you find the exact viewing times for your location.

Even if you’re not in a prime viewing area, you can still catch all the action live. The Virtual Telescope Project, managed by Italian astrophysicist Gianluca Masi, will stream the eclipse on YouTube.

Interestingly, this total lunar eclipse occurs just before the moon reaches perigee, meaning it will look slightly larger than usual.

For those in the U.S., the next chance to see a total lunar eclipse will be in March 2026, and it will be visible in North America, Australia, and parts of East Asia.

Lunar eclipses spark fascination not just in astronomy circles but also on social media. People share their awe and experiences, with trends emerging around the best places to view and photograph the event.

This September’s eclipse is a reminder of how nature can create beautiful moments, connecting us all through shared experiences. For more details about the eclipse, visit NASA’s website.

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