This Sunday night, Earth’s shadow will transform the full moon into a spectacular blood-red orb for 82 minutes — the longest total lunar eclipse since November 2022.
The celestial show begins at 3:28 PM UTC on September 7 (11:28 AM EDT) and will be visible to 77% of the world’s population — about 6.2 billion people, making it one of the most widely observable astronomical events of 2025.
But here’s the catch: viewers in North and South America will completely miss this cosmic spectacle as the Earth, itself, may be blocking our direct view of this eclipse from the Western Hemisphere.
When Exactly Does the Blood Moon Rise?
The total lunar eclipse will begin on September 7, 2025, at 17:31 UTC, when the moon completely enters the umbra, or the inner part of Earth’s shadow.
Here’s the complete timeline in UTC:
Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 3:28 PM UTC (barely visible dimming)
Partial Eclipse Begins: 4:27 PM UTC (first “bite” appears)
Total Eclipse Begins: 5:31 PM UTC (blood moon emerges)
Maximum Eclipse: 6:12 PM UTC (deepest red color)
Total Eclipse Ends: 6:53 PM UTC (moon begins to brighten)
Partial Eclipse Ends: 7:57 PM UTC
Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 8:55 PM UTC
The entire eclipse spans about five and a half hours, starting at 15:28:25 GMT and ending at 20:55:08 GMT.
Best Places to Witness the Blood Moon
The best views of the total lunar eclipse will be from Asian and Western Australia, where skywatchers can see the entire event from start to finish.
Prime Viewing Locations:
- Perth, Australia: 2:30-3:52 AM local time (Sept 8)
- Tokyo, Japan: 2:30-3:52 AM local time (Sept 8)
- Beijing, China: 1:30-2:52 AM local time (Sept 8)
- Mumbai, India: 11:00 PM-12:22 AM local time (Sept 7-8)
From much of Europe, the total lunar eclipse will already be underway at moonrise, creating a dramatic scene as the already-darkened moon climbs above the eastern horizon.
European Moonrise Times During Eclipse:
- Berlin: 7:37 PM CEST (during totality)
- London: 7:30 PM BST (just after totality begins)
- Paris: 8:45 PM CEST (late in totality)
How to Watch from North America (Yes, You Still Can)
We researched multiple options for viewers stuck on the wrong side of Earth.
The Virtual Telescope Project is set to host a free livestream of the total lunar eclipse as seen by the organization’s suite of robotic telescopes located in Manciano, Italy. Viewers can tune in to the YouTube live-feed from 1:45 p.m. EDT on September 7.
Livestream Options:
- Virtual Telescope Project – Starts 1:45 PM EDT
- TimeandDate.com – Begins 12:00 PM EDT
- Space.com – Details coming closer to event
The livestreams will capture the entire 82-minute totality phase between 1:30-2:52 PM EDT.
Why Does the Moon Turn Blood Red?
when sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere, light with shorter wavelengths like blue is scattered more easily than light with longer wavelengths like red.
It’s the same physics that creates spectacular sunsets.
During totality, Earth’s atmosphere acts like a giant lens, bending and filtering sunlight. only some of the Sun’s rays – the longest wavelengths at the red end of the spectrum – are able to pass through Earth’s atmosphere to reach the Moon beyond.
The deeper the moon travels into Earth’s umbral shadow, the darker and more crimson it appears. This eclipse ranks as a relatively deep total eclipse, with 36% of the moon’s diameter inside Earth’s umbral shadow.
What Makes This Eclipse Special?
We discovered several factors that make Sunday’s blood moon particularly noteworthy:
Record-Breaking Duration
At 82 minutes, this totality phase represents the longest total lunar eclipse since Nov. 8, 2022.
Massive Global Audience
about 6.2 billion people — will be able to see all of totality, according to population data analysis.
Perfect Timing for Asia-Pacific
Unlike many eclipses that favor one region, this event provides ideal viewing times across the world’s most populated areas.
Part of Eclipse Season
a partial solar eclipse is going to take place on 21 September 2025, visible from New Zealand and Antarctica.
Photography Tips for the Blood Moon
Antoni Cladera of PhotoPills wrote a very detailed guide to photographing a total lunar eclipse that remains valuable for this event.
Essential Equipment:
- Telephoto lens (200mm minimum, 400-600mm ideal)
- Sturdy tripod
- Remote shutter release or self-timer
- Manual exposure mode capability
Recommended Settings During Totality:
- ISO: 800-3200
- Aperture: f/5.6-f/8
- Shutter Speed: 1-4 seconds
- Focus: Manual, set to infinity
Pro tip: The week leading up to the total lunar eclipse is the perfect time to stake out your ideal eclipse viewing spot.
What’s Next After This Eclipse?
Unfortunately for North American skywatchers, the wait continues.
it won’t be another 177 days until the phenomenon is visible from parts of North America, on March 2-3, 2026.
Upcoming Eclipse Schedule:
- September 21, 2025: Partial solar eclipse (New Zealand/Antarctica)
- March 2-3, 2026: Total lunar eclipse visible from North America
- August 12, 2026: Total solar eclipse
- August 27, 2026: Partial lunar eclipse
The March 2026 blood moon will favor the West Coast — California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska in the U.S., and British Columbia in Canada with complete visibility of all eclipse phases.
Don’t Miss This Rare Celestial Event
Whether you’re watching from a rooftop in Singapore or streaming from your couch in Seattle, Sunday’s blood moon eclipse promises to be unforgettable.
The Sept. 7, 2025 total lunar eclipse is the last blood moon of the year — a rare, five-hour celestial performance that billions will witness live.
Set those alarms, bookmark those livestreams, and prepare to witness Earth’s shadow paint the moon crimson for 82 spectacular minutes.
Quick Reference:
- Date: September 7-8, 2025
- Total Eclipse Duration: 82 minutes
- Best Viewing: Asia, Australia, Eastern Africa
- Livestream Start: 12:00 PM EDT (TimeandDate)
- Peak Eclipse: 2:12 PM EDT / 6:12 PM UTC
For exact eclipse times in your location, visit TimeandDate’s eclipse calculator.
Related Articles
