September Night Sky & Astronomy Information— A "Nearly 3-Year" Total Lunar Eclipse Across Japan, Partial Solar Eclipse in the South Pacific

September Night Sky & Astronomy Information— A "Nearly 3-Year" Total Lunar Eclipse Across Japan, Partial Solar Eclipse in the South Pacific

2025年09月02日 13:06

1) September 2025 "Super" Highlights

  • Total Lunar Eclipse (Visible Throughout Japan): Early morning on September 8 (Monday). Experience a "total eclipse anywhere in the country" for the first time in about three years since November 2022. The progression times of the eclipse are the same throughout Japan. National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

  • Partial Solar Eclipse (South Pacific): September 21 (Sunday) based on UTC. In New Zealand, it begins around sunrise on September 22 (Monday). Not visible from Japan. Time and Date

  • Planetary Phenomena: Saturn at opposition on 9/21, Neptune at opposition on 9/23. This is the best time for observation and photography. EarthSky+1

  • Close Approaches of the Moon and Bright Planets/Venus Occultation: From the 16th to the 20th, the Moon approaches Jupiter and Venus, and on the 19th (Friday), a "Venus occultation by the Moon" occurs in limited regions. In-The-Sky.org

  • Autumn Equinox: 9/22 18:19 UTC (9/23 03:19 Japan Time). Day and night become nearly equal in length. Time and Date



2) Viewing the Total Lunar Eclipse in Japan: When, Where, and How to Photograph

Observation Basics (Example from Tokyo)

  • Penumbral Eclipse Begins 0:28

  • Partial Eclipse Begins 1:27

  • Total Eclipse 2:30–3:52 (Maximum 3:11, Altitude about 24°, Direction WSW = Azimuth around 241°)

  • Partial Eclipse Ends 4:56

  • Moonset 5:27 (End of Penumbral Eclipse is below the horizon)
    These times are common throughout Japan. The direction and altitude vary by region, but the total eclipse can be seen throughout Japan, which is a feature of this event. Time and Date+1



The Meaning of "Nationwide Total Eclipse for the First Time in About 3 Years"

The last time a total lunar eclipse was visible throughout Japan was on November 8, 2022. This is the first "nationwide opportunity" since then. As it will be a long event from midnight to early morning, plan for cold protection (even in early autumn, it can drain your body heat) and nap schedules. National Astronomical Observatory of Japan



Where to Watch? (For Travelers and Residents)

  • Urban Areas: Locations with a clear view to the west to west-southwest (e.g., riverbanks, coastal levees, rooftop observatories).

  • Suburban and Remote Islands: Areas with low light pollution and high low-altitude transparency are advantageous.

  • Recommended Area Considerations: Since the moon's altitude will be relatively low that night, clear visibility is the top priority. Ideal locations are coastal areas, highlands, or places with an unobstructed western horizon.
    (※Weather is crucial. Make decisions based on the cloud forecast and satellite images right before the event.) National Astronomical Observatory of Japan



Photography Tips

  • Equipment: Use 35–135mm for landscape and moon balance, and over 300mm for close-ups of the lunar surface.

  • Settings: It's dark during the total eclipse (EV about -2 to -3). Try ISO 800–3200 / F2.8–5.6 / 1/2–1 second. For partial eclipses, the brightness contrast is significant, so bracketing and exposure blending are effective.

  • Composition: Aim for a sense of scale by incorporating buildings or landscapes, and capture the subtle gradation of the reddish-brown hue during the total eclipse.

  • Safety: Lunar eclipses can be safely viewed with the naked eye (no special filters needed).



3) Partial Solar Eclipse in the South Pacific (9/21 UTC) — Not Visible in Japan

  • Visibility: New Zealand (in many areas around dawn on 9/22), parts of the eastern coast of Australia, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, and parts of the South Pacific and Antarctic regions.

  • World Times: Partial eclipse begins at 17:29 UTC / Maximum at 19:41 UTC / Ends at 21:53 UTC.

  • Caution: Use only ISO-compliant "eclipse glasses" or projection methods for solar eclipse observation. Using sunglasses or ND filters is dangerous.

  • For Travelers: In New Zealand, many regions will observe it early on September 22 (Monday), so places with a clear eastern horizon are ideal. Check local astronomy clubs or planetarium event information. Time and Date



4) September's "Planet Show": Saturn & Neptune at Opposition, Close Approach of the Moon with Venus & Jupiter,

  • Saturn at Opposition (9/21): Easily visible all night, with the thinness of its rings being a topic of interest (check the ring's opening with a telescope). It rises high in the eastern to southern sky, making it the best season for photography and observation. EarthSky

  • Neptune at Opposition (9/23): Not visible to the naked eye (magnitude 7), so use binoculars or small to medium telescopes. Align with a star chart app. EarthSky

  • Close Approach of the Moon and Planets: From the 16th to the 20th, the Moon, Jupiter, and Venus "line up nicely." On 9/19 (Friday), depending on the region, the Moon will occult Venus. In Japan, the visibility varies by region and time, so check visibility maps just before the event. National Astronomical Observatory of JapanIn-The-Sky.org



5) Enjoyable Even on a Small Scale: September Meteor Showers and the Autumn Milky Way

While September lacks "super major" events, the

Aurigids (around 9/1), September ε-Perseids (around 9/9), and Daytime Sextantids (around 9/27) peak. Due to moonlight and the altitude of the radiant point, the ZHR is modest, but in the darkness of mountain areas or remote islands, you can enjoy "sporadic" autumn meteors. Star Walk



6) Autumn Equinox: Capturing the Seasonal Transition Through Astronomy

The autumn equinox occurs on

September 22 at 18:19 UTC, which is ##HTML_TAG

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