Chicago, IL – A massive total lunar eclipse will unfold in early September, lasting over five hours and culminating in a dramatic “blood moon” — but only some parts of the world will have a front-row seat.
According to Time and Date, the eclipse begins at 11:28 a.m. EDT (15:28 UTC) on Sunday, Sept. 7, with the moon entering Earth’s shadow and reaching full totality for 82 minutes. The deepest part of the eclipse will bathe the moon in a reddish glow, caused by sunlight refracted through Earth’s atmosphere.
Unfortunately, North and South America will miss the event entirely, as the moon will have already set before the eclipse begins. Instead, the best views will be available across Asia and Western Australia, where nearly 77% of the global population will be able to witness the entire eclipse.
For skywatchers in North America, the Virtual Telescope Project will host a free livestream beginning at 1:45 p.m. EDT on Sept. 7. Viewers can tune in via YouTube to watch the eclipse unfold from Europe, where the moon will rise already partially eclipsed.
Total lunar eclipses occur only during a full moon when the sun, Earth, and moon align. As Earth’s shadow covers the moon, the red coloration appears due to Rayleigh scattering — the same phenomenon that creates red sunsets.
Just two weeks later, on Sept. 21, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from parts of Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica, marking another highlight in this season of sky events.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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