Total Lunar Eclipse to Bring Stunning ‘Blood Moon’ on Sunday Night

Stargazers are set for a breathtaking celestial event on Sunday night as a total lunar eclipse will create the dramatic spectacle of a “Blood Moon.” The phenomenon will be visible across Asia, including India and China, as well as parts of Europe, Africa, and western Australia.

The eclipse will last from 17:30 GMT to 18:52 GMT, offering viewers more than an hour to witness the Moon’s transformation into a glowing red orb. In Europe and Africa, the eclipse will appear partially during moonrise, while the Americas will miss out on the event.

The Moon takes on its crimson appearance during a total eclipse because the sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths while allowing longer red wavelengths to reach the lunar surface. This effect, known as Rayleigh scattering, gives the Moon its striking “bloody” appearance.

Astrophysicist Ryan Milligan of Queen’s University Belfast explained, “That’s what gives the Moon its red, bloody colour.” He described the event as a prelude to next year’s rare total solar eclipse, which will be visible across parts of Spain and Iceland on August 12, 2026.

Unlike solar eclipses, which require protective glasses, a lunar eclipse can be safely viewed with the naked eye, requiring nothing more than clear skies. Astronomy enthusiasts are encouraged to step outside and witness the phenomenon, which has fascinated civilizations for millennia.

The last total lunar eclipse occurred in March 2025, while the previous one before that was seen in 2022.