Skywatchers in some parts of the world are in for a rare treat this weekend as the moon turns a coppery-red to orange color during a total lunar eclipse. Known colloquially as a “blood moon,” the rare event occurs when the full moon moves through Earth’s shadow in space, with the color of 1,000 sunsets covering the lunar surface. On the night of Sept. 7, 2025, the spectacle will be visible across Australia, Asia and Africa, with Europe glimpsing the event at moonset. The entire eclipse, including partial phases, will unfold over nearly six hours, creating one of the year’s standout celestial events — but it won’t be visible from North America.
This total lunar eclipse takes place overnight on Sept. 7-8. 2025. From regions on the night side of Earth, the moon will display shades of copper, orange, pink and/or red for 82 minutes. The exact color will depend on atmospheric conditions, with dust, clouds and the smoke from wildfires all affecting it.
About 4.9 billion people will see the “blood moon” from regions on the night side of Earth during the event, including Eastern Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, India, China, Southeast Asia and Australia.
All total lunar eclipses occur at full moon. Although it won’t be visible from North America, the full “Corn Moon” will be. It will be best seen rising in the east during dusk on Sept. 7.
All total lunar eclipses are completely safe to watch with the naked eye — unlike the partial phases of solar eclipses. Binoculars or a small telescope will reveal lots of detail.
During totality, Earth blocks direct sunlight from striking the moon. Only light refracted through Earth’s atmosphere — the same process that makes sunsets look red — reaches the lunar surface, giving it a reddish-orange color when it’s totally eclipsed. It’s as if all the world's sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the moon, according to NASA.
The next total lunar eclipse will occur on March 2/3, 2026, when the lunar surface will turn reddish for 58 minutes as seen from North America, Australia and East Asia. However, those on the western side of the U.S. and Canada will get the best view of the eclipsed moon.
The night after the rise of the full “Corn Moon” and the total lunar eclipse, there will be a close conjunction of the moon and Saturn. The ringed planet will be at its best all month, reaching its biggest, brightest and best on Sept. 21 with its annual opposition.