Blood Moon Tonight: As World Watches Celestial Event, NASA Explains How Eclipses Occur

Last Updated:September 07, 2025, 20:52 IST

Skygazers await a total lunar eclipse or Chandra Grahan on September 7 and 8, visible across North America, Eastern Australia, Europe, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa.

The Blood Moon creates a dramatic red glow across the night sky. (Image: X)

Skywatchers await to witness a total lunar eclipse, also called a Blood Moon or Chandra Grahan, that is set to illuminate the night sky on September 7 and 8. The eclipse will be visible across much of North America, as well as parts of Eastern Australia, Europe, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa.

Why Do Eclipses Happen?

Eclipses happen when the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up in space. The type of eclipse we see depends on how they align. There are two types of eclipses: lunar and solar.

A solar eclipse takes place when the Moon moves in front of the Sun, from our viewpoint on Earth, partially or fully blocking its light and casting a shadow on Earth. Whereas a lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into Earth’s shadow, causing it to become partially or fully darkened.

Solar Eclipse:

Solar eclipses can only occur during the new moon phase, when the Moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun — meaning it’s in the sky during the day.

Even though a new moon occurs roughly once every month, we don’t see a solar eclipse each time. This is because the Moon’s orbit is tilted about five degrees compared to Earth’s orbit around the Sun, known as the ecliptic plane. As a result, during most new moons, the Moon’s shadow passes above or below Earth. Solar eclipses are only possible during two specific periods each year, called eclipse seasons, when the Moon’s orbit intersects the ecliptic plane and allows its shadow to fall on Earth.

Types Of Solar Eclipses

• Annular solar eclipse: An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun but doesn’t completely cover it, leaving a bright ring—called a “ring of fire”—visible around the Moon. This happens because the Moon is farther from Earth and appears smaller in the sky.
• Hybrid solar eclipse: A hybrid solar eclipse is a rare type that shifts between a total and an annular eclipse along different parts of its path. In some areas, the Moon completely covers the Sun (total), while in others, it leaves a ring of sunlight visible (annular).
• Partial Solar Eclipse: A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon and Sun aren’t perfectly aligned, so only part of the Sun is covered. The Moon’s penumbra reaches Earth, but its umbra does not.

Lunar Eclipse:

Lunar eclipses happen during the full moon phase, when Earth is placed directly between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment causes Earth’s shadow to fall on the Moon, darkening it and often giving it a deep red hue that can last for several hours. Unlike solar eclipses, each lunar eclipse is visible from half of Earth.

Types Of Lunar Eclipses

• Total Lunar Eclipse: A total lunar eclipse happens when the entire Moon passes through Earth’s darkest shadow, called the umbra. During this time, the Moon can appear red or copper-colored because some sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere and reflects onto the Moon.
• Partial Lunar Eclipse: When the Sun, Earth, and Moon aren’t perfectly aligned, the Moon passes through only part of Earth’s umbra, causing a partial lunar eclipse where the shadow darkens only part of the Moon.
• Penumbral Eclipse: In a penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon passes through Earth’s faint outer shadow, causing only a slight dimming that’s often hard to detect.

About the Author

Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18…Read More

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18… Read More

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