07/09/2025
Blood moon eclipse: Five things that make it unique
Skywatchers are in for a dazzling spectacle tonight as a total lunar eclipse, popularly known as a “Blood Moon,” lights up the skies on September 7,8,2025.
1. The Blood Moon effect
As Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, its shadow will cover the lunar surface. Instead of disappearing in darkness, the Moon will turn a dramatic shade of red. This “Blood Moon” effect happens when Earth's atmosphere bends sunlight, filtering out blue light and casting warm red and orange tones onto the Moon.
2. Rayleigh scattering
The reddish tint is not mystical but scientific. Shorter wavelengths like blue scatter in all directions, while longer wavelengths like red and orange travel more directly through Earth's atmosphere, reports Times of India . This refracted light illuminates the Moon, giving it hues ranging from copper to crimson.
3. An exceptionally long eclipse
This eclipse will feature a total phase lasting around 82 minutes, making it one of the longest in recent years. That means observers will have more than an hour to enjoy the red moon in all its brilliance.
4. A global sky show
According to NASA, the eclipse will be visible across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia, offering billions of people a chance to witness the event. Few celestial events have such widespread visibility, making this a truly global experience.
5. A beautiful physics
Although the Blood Moon has inspired myths and superstitions for centuries, scientists stress that it's simply a natural play of light and shadow. Like a sunset painted on the Moon, the beauty lies in atmospheric science, not hidden meanings.
