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After the long-duration eclipse on September 7, Indian skygazers won’t have to wait too long for the next Blood Moon
Total lunar eclipse. (Image: PTI)
On the night of September 7, 2025, sky-watchers across Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia witnessed a rare celestial spectacle — a total lunar eclipse, popularly known as a “Blood Moon.” In India, the event unfolded from 8:58 pm to 2:25 am, as the Moon gradually slipped into Earth’s shadow, transforming into a glowing crimson orb in the night sky. This was the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022, and only the second Blood Moon clearly visible from India since 2018, according to NASA’s official records.
When Does A Total Lunar Eclipse Occur
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A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its darkest shadow, the umbra, fully across the Moon’s surface. When this happens, the Moon doesn’t go completely dark. Instead, it appears red because the Earth’s atmosphere bends and filters sunlight, scattering blue light and allowing only the red wavelengths to reach the Moon.
For Indian observers, conditions were ideal. The entire eclipse unfolded late in the evening and into the early hours of September 8, giving millions across the country the chance to witness one of nature’s most dramatic shows without the need for telescopes or protective glasses.
What Causes A Blood Moon?
During a total lunar eclipse, the red hue on the Moon’s surface is caused by a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering. As sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere, shorter wavelengths like blue and violet are scattered in all directions, while longer red wavelengths pass through and are refracted onto the Moon. The result is a coppery-red appearance, often referred to as a Blood Moon.
The exact shade of red depends on atmospheric conditions — dust, cloud cover and pollution levels can all influence the Moon’s colour during totality.
How Rare Are Total Lunar Eclipses In India?
While lunar eclipses occur multiple times a year, total eclipses that are fully visible from a specific location like India are far less common. The last total lunar eclipse clearly visible from India before 2025 took place in July 2018. The 2025 Blood Moon was only the second such event in seven years for Indian viewers, making it a significant occurrence, especially under clear skies.
When Is The Next Total Lunar Eclipse Visible In India?
According to NASA, the next total lunar eclipse will occur on March 3, 2026 across Asia, Australia, the Pacific and the Americas. This means that Indian observers will once again have the opportunity to witness a Blood Moon, less than a year after the September 2025 eclipse.
Another total lunar eclipse visible from India will follow on the night of December 31, 2028, continuing into January 1, 2029. This eclipse will be visible across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific. A third total lunar eclipse visible from India will occur on December 20–21, 2029.
Partial And Penumbral Eclipses Before The Next Blood Moon
Before the next total lunar eclipse visible from India on December 31, 2028, the country will witness two less dramatic eclipses, one penumbral and one partial. While these events do not produce the dramatic red glow of a Blood Moon, they are still part of the natural eclipse cycle:
- February 20, 2027: Penumbral lunar eclipse, visible in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. The Moon will appear slightly dimmer but not red.
- July 6, 2028: Partial lunar eclipse, visible across Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. A portion of the Moon will darken significantly, but not fully.
What Is the Difference Between Total, Partial and Penumbral Lunar Eclipses?
In a total lunar eclipse, the Moon enters the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, the umbra, completely. This causes the full red glow characteristic of a Blood Moon.
In a partial lunar eclipse, only a portion of the Moon enters the umbra, resulting in a noticeable darkening of part of the lunar surface, but without the full red colour.
In a penumbral eclipse, the Moon passes only through the lighter outer part of Earth’s shadow, the penumbra. The dimming is subtle and often barely noticeable without careful observation or photography.
Why Do Lunar Eclipses Matter?
Lunar eclipses offer a rare opportunity for public engagement with science and astronomy. They are safe to observe without any special equipment and can last several hours, allowing people across time zones and geographies to witness them. For scientists, eclipses also offer insights into Earth’s atmosphere, the exact shade of red the Moon takes on during totality can help estimate the amount of dust and aerosols present in the upper atmosphere.
For Indian viewers, the next total lunar eclipse will require a wait of over three years. But the celestial calendar offers several opportunities in the meantime to observe partial and penumbral eclipses.
About the Author
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar…Read More
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar… Read More
September 08, 2025, 13:56 IST
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