Skywatchers are in for a celestial treat this month. A total lunar eclipse, or “Blood Moon,” will take place on Sunday, September 7, 2025. While North America will only see a regular full moon rising at dusk, observers in other parts of the world will witness Earth’s shadow turning the Moon a coppery red. Just two weeks later, a solar eclipse will follow, showing how these fascinating events often arrive in pairs.

What Happens During a Lunar Eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. Since this can only happen at full moon, the entire disk of the Moon would normally appear bright and round. But during an eclipse, Earth’s shadow darkens the Moon and can tint it shades of orange or red.

There are three varieties of lunar eclipse:

• Total lunar eclipse, when the Moon passes through the darkest part of Earth’s shadow and glows red.
• Partial lunar eclipse, when only a section of the Moon is covered.
• Penumbral lunar eclipse, a subtle dimming as the Moon slips through Earth’s outer shadow.

The upcoming eclipse on September 7 will last more than five hours from start to finish, with the total “blood moon” phase visible for about 82 minutes. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to view without any eye protection, whether with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.

The Next Lunar Eclipses

After September’s event, the next total lunar eclipse will take place on March 2–3, 2026, visible from western North America, East Asia and Australia. That eclipse will feature a striking 82 minutes of totality.

What Makes a Solar Eclipse Different?

A solar eclipse happens in reverse — when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight for a short time. Solar eclipses only occur during a new moon, and the alignment has to be perfect because the Moon appears almost the same size as the Sun in our sky.

Types of solar eclipse include:

• Total solar eclipse, when daylight briefly turns to darkness and the Sun’s corona becomes visible.
• Partial solar eclipse, when the Moon covers only part of the Sun.
• Annular solar eclipse, when the Moon appears slightly smaller and leaves behind a glowing “ring of fire.”

It’s critical to remember that solar eclipses are never safe to watch with the naked eye — except during the brief moments of totality. Special eclipse glasses or solar filters are essential.

Upcoming Solar Eclipses

On September 21, 2025, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from New Zealand, Antarctica and parts of the South Pacific, where up to 94% of the Sun will be covered. The next annular eclipse comes on February 17, 2026, over Antarctica, followed by a total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, across Greenland, Iceland and Spain.

Why Eclipses Come in Pairs

If there’s a new moon and full moon every month, why don’t eclipses happen that often? The answer lies in the Moon’s tilted orbit. Its path around Earth is offset by about five degrees from the Sun’s path across our sky. Most months, the Moon passes slightly above or below the Sun or Earth’s shadow.

Only when the Moon crosses the orbital plane at specific points, called nodes, can an eclipse take place. If this happens during a new moon, a solar eclipse occurs; at full moon, it produces a lunar eclipse. That’s why eclipses so often arrive as a pair, spaced about two weeks apart.

Blood Moon 2025 is a reminder of the delicate cosmic alignments that bring these rare sights. Whether it’s a lunar eclipse glowing red in the night sky or the fleeting darkness of a solar eclipse, both are spectacular chances to look up and connect with the universe.