In September 2025, the full moon will occur on September 7, coinciding with a remarkable total lunar eclipse, marking it as one of the year’s most fascinating celestial events. This blood moon will not be visible in the United States, but the moon is expected to present a reddish hue nonetheless. The total lunar eclipse will primarily be observable from regions in Asia, Australia, Eastern Europe, and Eastern Africa, while viewers in much of Europe and Africa will witness a partial eclipse. Unfortunately, North and South America will miss this astronomical spectacle altogether.
A blood moon arises from a total lunar eclipse when the Earth blocks a significant portion of sunlight from reaching the moon. As the light passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, it gets filtered, allowing only red wavelengths to reach and illuminate the moon, thus creating its characteristic reddish glow. This captivating phenomenon lasts approximately two hours and can only be appreciated in areas where the lunar eclipse is observable. For those in the right location, the total eclipse will present a unique opportunity to witness this beautiful transformation of the moon.
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon, often referred to as the corn moon, will reach its peak luminosity at around 2:09 p.m. Eastern Time on September 7. As this occurs during daylight hours, the optimal time for viewers to catch a glimpse of the full moon will be during the nights leading up to and following this date. The moon will appear nearly full a couple of days before and after, allowing for multiple chances to enjoy its brilliance.
Total lunar eclipses are rarer than partial ones, making this September full moon particularly noteworthy for those located within the path of totality. Given the stable orbits of the Earth and moon, these eclipses can be precisely predicted. The last lunar eclipse occurred in March 2025, with further eclipses recorded in November 2022 and the next total lunar eclipse anticipated in March 2026, although it will primarily unfold over the Atlantic Ocean, restricting visibility.
Looking into future lunar events, there are several upcoming total lunar eclipses, including those on New Year’s Eve in 2028, June 2029, and December 2029. Between them, only the June 2029 eclipse is expected to be visible from the United States. This highlights the significance of September’s eclipse, as it stands out in a relatively sparse schedule of total lunar eclipses.
For those unable to witness the eclipse firsthand, there are abundant options for livestreaming the event. Reputable platforms like Time and Date, FOX Weather, and the Royal Observatory in Greenwich will offer live coverage. The eclipse is slated to last approximately one hour and 22 minutes, initiating at around 15:28 UTC (11:28 a.m. ET) on September 7, making it accessible to many viewers through modern technology, despite geographical limitations.
