On Sunday, September 7, 2025, the skies over the Arab world will witness the “Blood Moon” phenomenon during a total lunar eclipse, which will be clearly visible in most Arab countries and Asia, while its visibility will be limited in Europe and Africa.
Where can it be seen?
The best viewing will be in China, India, the Middle East, East Africa, and Western Australia, where the ideal conditions for observing the astronomical event will be available.
How does the moon turn red?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon align in a straight line, with the moon at the full moon phase. As the moon enters Earth’s shadow, the shadow blocks sunlight, causing the moon to gradually lose its white shine and take on a red hue.
Astrophysicist Ryan Milligan from Queen’s University Belfast stated, “The only sunlight that reaches the moon is scattered through Earth’s atmosphere, and the red wavelengths pass through easily, giving the moon its red color.”
Duration and Timing of the Phenomenon
All phases of the eclipse will last approximately 5 hours and 27 minutes, while the total eclipse will last for 1 hour and 22 minutes.
In Egypt, the eclipse begins at 6:28 PM, with the total eclipse starting at 8:31 PM and reaching its peak at 9:12 PM.
In the UAE, the eclipse will start at 7:28 PM, with its maximum at 10:11 PM, and ending at 00:55 AM on Monday.
To observe the eclipse, no special glasses are needed as with a solar eclipse; a clear sky and a suitable viewing location are sufficient.
History of Lunar Eclipses
This total lunar eclipse is the second one in 2025, following the eclipse observed in March, and it serves as a precursor to the major solar eclipse expected on August 12, 2026.
