A total lunar eclipse will grace the skies over India on September 7, 2025, providing a rare and beautiful celestial spectacle. This event, sometimes referred to as a “Blood Moon,” occurs when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon and causing it to take on a reddish hue. In India, this eclipse will be fully visible, making it an ideal occasion for skywatchers to observe one of nature’s most mesmerizing astronomical phenomena.
What is a Total Lunar Eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes entirely through the Earth’s darkest shadow, called the umbra. This alignment happens during a full moon when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are perfectly lined up. The Earth’s atmosphere bends and filters sunlight that reaches the Moon, scattering shorter blue wavelengths and allowing longer red wavelengths to bathe the lunar surface, giving it a distinctive red or coppery glow, famously called the “Blood Moon” effect.
Visibility and Timing for India
The total eclipse on September 7, 2025, will be visible across India, from northern cities like Delhi and Chandigarh to southern cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai. Because the Moon will be high in the sky throughout the evening, observers will have a clear view of the eclipse phases without obstruction.
The eclipse timeline in Indian Standard Time (IST) is as follows:
| Phase of Eclipse | Time (IST) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Penumbral Eclipse Begins | 8:58 PM, Sept 7 | Earth’s penumbra starts to faintly shadow the Moon |
| Partial Eclipse Begins | 9:58 PM, Sept 7 | The Earth’s umbra starts covering the Moon |
| Total Eclipse Begins | 11:00 PM, Sept 7 | Moon is fully within Earth’s umbra (totality starts) |
| Greatest Eclipse | 11:46 PM, Sept 7 | Maximum coverage of the Moon by Earth’s shadow |
| Total Eclipse Ends | 12:22 AM, Sept 8 | End of totality as Moon starts exiting umbra |
| Partial Eclipse Ends | 1:25 AM, Sept 8 | Moon fully exits the umbra |
| Penumbral Eclipse Ends | 2:25 AM, Sept 8 | End of the eclipse as Moon exits the penumbra |
This makes the totality phase last approximately 82 minutes, one of the longest durations in recent years, allowing plenty of time to experience the full beauty of the eclipse.
Region Coverage and Global Context
This eclipse is a global event visible not only in India but also across Asia, Australia, east Africa, much of Europe, and parts of Russia and Central Asia. Approximately 7 billion people worldwide will witness at least part of the eclipse. However, it will not be visible over most of the Americas. The total duration of the eclipse is about 5 hours and 27 minutes, encompassing penumbral, partial, and total phases.
Scientific and Cultural Significance
Lunar eclipses help scientists study Earth’s atmosphere by analyzing the red light that reaches the Moon. They also offer a unique opportunity for amateur astronomers and the general public to engage with astronomy without needing any special equipment, unlike solar eclipses.
Culturally, such eclipses have been significant in many traditions, often viewed as awe-inspiring celestial events. In India, this eclipse is known as “Chandra Grahan” and usually inspires folklore and festivities centered around the Moon.
This upcoming total lunar eclipse promises a stunning nighttime display for millions of skywatchers in India on the night of September 7-8, 2025. With a long totality phase and widespread visibility, it’s a perfect opportunity to marvel at the cosmic dance of Earth, Sun, and Moon, and to witness the deep red glow of a true Blood Moon.