Blood Moon: Total Lunar Eclipse Occurring This Sunday—World Viewing Highlights and Time Guide

Blood Moon: Total Lunar Eclipse Occurring This Sunday—World Viewing Highlights and Time Guide

2025年09月08日 00:16

1) What is a Blood Moon? Why does the "moon turn red"?

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, and the moon is completely engulfed in Earth's umbra (shadow). Instead of becoming completely dark, the moon turns a copper to deep red color because the red wavelengths of sunlight are scattered and refracted by Earth's atmosphere, illuminating the moon's surface (commonly known as a "Blood Moon"). The hue can vary depending on dust, volcanic ash, and cloud cover in the atmosphere. No special protective gear is needed for observation or photography, and a total lunar eclipse can be safely observed with the naked eye.Space



2) When does it occur? — Basic information for this event (absolute time)

  • Date of the phenomenon: September 7–8, 2025 (UTC). Depending on the region, it will occur from the night of the 7th to the early morning of the 8th.Time and Date

  • Visible regions (overview): Asia, Oceania, Africa, and Europe will have a wide distribution of total/partial zones.Time and Date



3) Visibility and timing in Japan (Tokyo) (JST)

Tokyo (JST)

  • Penumbral eclipse begins: 9/8 0:28

  • Partial eclipse begins: 1:27

  • Totality begins: 2:30

  • Maximum eclipse: 3:11

  • Totality ends: 3:52

  • Partial eclipse ends: 4:56

  • Penumbral eclipse ends (below the horizon): 5:55
    ※ The event progresses while descending in the western to southwestern sky. As the moon sets, the altitude decreases, so an open view of the western sky is ideal.Time and Date



4) Local times for major cities (excerpt)

※ Each time is local time. The "moon altitude" and overlap with "moonrise and moonset" vary by city.

  • London (UK, BST)

    • The end of the total phase occurs just after moonrise. Near maximum 9/7 19:33, totality ends 19:52, partial eclipse ends 20:56, penumbral ends 21:55. Elevated locations clear of the eastern horizon are advantageous.Time and Date

  • New Delhi (India, IST)

    • Penumbral eclipse 9/7 20:58, partial eclipse 21:57, totality 23:00, maximum 23:41, totality ends 9/8 0:22, partial eclipse ends 1:26, penumbral ends 2:25.Time and Date

  • Sydney (Australia, AEST)

    • Penumbral eclipse 9/8 1:28, partial eclipse 2:27, totality 3:30, maximum 4:11, totality ends 4:52, partial eclipse ends 5:56. Penumbral ends after moonset.Time and Date


Hint: In Western Europe, many regions will experience moonrise coinciding with the end of totality, making them susceptible to the effects of low-altitude twilight, buildings, and terrain, so elevated areas or coastlines clear of the east to east-southeast are advantageous.Time and Date



5) Global progression (UTC timeline)

  • Penumbral eclipse begins: 9/7 15:28

  • Partial eclipse begins: 16:27

  • Totality begins: 17:30

  • Maximum eclipse: 18:11 (totality continues)

  • Totality ends: 18:52

  • Partial eclipse ends: 19:56

  • Penumbral eclipse ends: 20:55
    (Local conversion: Japan is **+9 hours**, India is **+5:30**, UK is **+1 hour** (summer time), Sydney is **+10 hours**)Time and Date



6) Is it visible in Brazil? — Live broadcast timing (BRT)

This total eclipse occurs during the day in eastern South America, making it not visible to the naked eye. However, the National Observatory of Brazil (Observatório Nacional) plans to broadcast it live on YouTube (Brasilia time 12:00 start). The article provides **penumbral 12:28, partial 13:27, totality 14:31, maximum 15:12–15:53, partial ends 16:57, penumbral ends 17:55 (all BRT)** as a guide. Recommended for remote participation.InfoMoney



7) Tips for maximizing enjoyment of the celestial show

  • Location: An open area with no low-altitude obstructions **to the west to southwest (in Japan, during and after totality)**. Seaside, elevated areas, rooftops, etc.Time and Date

  • Weather: The red of totality is often visible even through thin clouds, but the higher the transparency, the richer the color tones.

  • Binoculars/Telescope: 7-10x binoculars reveal the contrasts on the lunar surface well.

  • Smartphone Photography:

    • Use the telephoto lens (optical zoom).

    • Set exposure slightly under (-0.3 to -1EV) to capture red gradations better.

    • If possible, use **a tripod + self-timer (2 seconds)** to reduce hand shake.

  • Camera Photography (Reference Values):

    • During totality: ISO 800–3200, f/4–f/8, try from around 1/4 to 1 second.

    • During partial eclipse: ISO 100–400, f/8, try around 1/500 to 1/125 seconds.

    • Shooting in RAW makes post-processing easier.
      (※ Values are guidelines. Optimal values vary depending on equipment and sky conditions.)



8) Cultural aspects: "Chandra Grahan" in Asia

In South Asia, a total lunar eclipse is called **“Chandra Grahan” and historically, many customs related to health, religion, and etiquette** have been passed down. While modern science has made it known that it is a natural phenomenon that can be safely observed, regional customs continue to be a topic of discussion.##HTML_TAG_

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