TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE ON SEPT 7: VISIBLE IN INDIA
NEW DELHI: There will be a total lunar eclipse on September 7, visible in many parts of India from 8.58 PM IST and it ends at 2.25 AM.
The eclipse will be visible in India, including major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow, Bengaluru, and Chandigarh.
A spectacular total lunar eclipse, also known as Chandra Grahan 2025 or the “Blood Moon,” is set to captivate skywatchers worldwide on September 7-8. During this rare celestial event, the Earth will pass directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface and giving it a striking red-orange glow. The eclipse will be fully visible across many countries in Asia and Western Australia, while parts of Europe, Africa, eastern Australia, and New Zealand will also catch a glimpse of the event.
Why is it called a ‘Blood Moon’?
A lunar eclipse happens when Earth positions itself between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the lunar surface. The Moon passes through Earth’s umbral shadow (the dark inner part), causing it to dim and turn red. This reddish colour, known as the Blood Moon effect, results from Rayleigh scattering when the sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths away, while longer red wavelengths bend toward the Moon, illuminating it in crimson tones.
Visibility in India: Where to Watch
This eclipse is one of the most widely visible in years, observable from anywhere on Earth’s night side with clear skies.
North India: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow
West India: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune
South India: Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi
East India: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati
Central India: Bhopal, Nagpur, Raipur
The Moon will be high in the sky, making it easy to spot. Best spots are rooftops, terraces, fields, or parks away from city lights. Avoid light pollution for the full effect.
The totality phase of the eclipse will last 82 minutes, making it one of the most spectacular lunar eclipses of the decade.
Eclipse begins: 8:58 PM IST (September 7)
Totality (Blood Moon phase): 11:00 PM IST to 12:22 AM IST
Eclipse ends: 2:25 AM IST (September 8)
How to Watch the Blood Moon in India
Unlike solar eclipses, it’s completely safe to view with the naked eye and no protective gear is required.
You can also use binoculars or a telescope for details like lunar craters and the red gradient. Apps like Stellarium or Sky Safari can help locate it.
Use a DSLR/smartphone on a tripod with long exposures (1-2 seconds), ISO 400-800, and manual focus to capture the phenomenon. Capture the progression for a time-lapse.
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