Chandra Grahan 2025: India to witness 82-minutes Blood Moon lunar eclipse tonight? Check time, where and how to watch
Attention all space lovers and moon gazers! September 7 – the day has finally arrived. Today is the day when the world will witness a Blood Moon or total lunar eclipse. The skies are all set to put on a spectacular show as the last lunar eclipse of the year unfolds on Bhadrapad Purnima. It is to be noted that the total duration of this partial lunar eclipse will be 3 hours, 28 minutes, and 2 seconds. According to a News18 Hindi report, this eclipse will take place in the Aquarius (Kumbh) sign, during the Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra. Meanwhile, Dhriti Yoga will be active at the time of the eclipse.
When will the Chandra Grahan 2025 begin and end tonight?
The lunar eclipse on September 7 will begin at 9:58 PM and end at 1:26 AM. The lunar eclipse will take place today at 9:58 PM. As per the Drik Panchang, the first contact of the penumbral (Upchhaya) phase will occur at 8:59 PM, while the first contact of the umbral (Prachhaya) phase will occur at 9:58 PM, as per various media reports.
What is a Blood Moon lunar eclipse, and why is it special?
A total lunar eclipse is when the Earth’s shadow completely covers the Moon’s surface. Although sunlight still reaches the moon, it first passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, which filters and bends the light. Because the Earth’s atmosphere scatters the shorter wavelengths, only red hues can fall on the Moon, allowing it to take on that color dramatically.
When sunlight reaches the atmosphere of Earth, the light scatters. Shorter wavelengths, like blue, scatter more than longer wavelengths like red. Red bends and continues when it reaches the Moon. And that is the reason a total lunar eclipse causes the moon to shine red or orange. This gives way to the term “Blood Moon.”
According to a press release issued by the Astronomical Society of India through its Public Outreach & Education Committee, the entire eclipse will be visible from all parts of India (which happened last in 2018 and will occur again only in 2028). The entire eclipse can be seen from all parts of India, and can be enjoyed with our naked eyes.
“On 7 September, the penumbral phase begins at 8:58 PM, with the partial eclipse starting at 9:57 PM. The Moon will be fully eclipsed from 11:01 PM to 12:23 AM—a duration of 82 minutes. The partial phase ends at 1:26 AM, and the eclipse concludes at 2:25 AM on 8 September,” reads the press release.
Here are the timings for the total lunar eclipse in key cities around the world on September 7–8, 2025:
- Perth, Australia: 1:30 – 2:52 a.m. AWST (Monday, Sept. 8)
- Mumbai, India: 11:00 p.m. – 12:22 a.m. IST (Sunday, Sept. 7 – Monday, Sept. 8)
- Cairo, Egypt: 8:30 – 9:52 p.m. EEST (Sunday, Sept. 7)
- Cape Town, South Africa: 7:30 – 8:52 p.m. SAST (Sunday, Sept. 7)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- On the night of September 7, 2025, the Earth will come in between the Sun and the Moon, causing a total lunar eclipse.
- On 7 September, the penumbral phase begins at 8:58 PM.
- The lunar eclipse on September 7 will begin at 9:58 PM and end at 1:26 AM.
- India will be among several regions to experience this year’s Blood Moon.
When to watch?
- Penumbral Phase Begins: 8:58 PM IST (subtle and hard to detect)
- Partial Eclipse Starts: 9:57 PM IST (Moon enters Earth’s dark shadow)
- Total Eclipse Begins: 11:01 PM IST
- Total Eclipse Ends: 12:22 AM IST
- Final Penumbral Phase Ends: 2:25 AM IST (September 8)
The total phase of the eclipse will last 82 minutes.
The lunar eclipse will begin in the evening on September 7, 2025, at 8:58 PM, and end at 1:25 AM on September 8. The eclipse will be seen completely across Asia and Western Australia, while viewers in many different areas will be able to catch part of the different phases. The lunar eclipse will also be visible easily in many of the biggest cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and so on. This eclipse can be viewed with the naked eye safely! You can also bring your binoculars, or telescope to see some finer details, but you don’t need protective eyewear – like for a solar eclipse. This event can be watched by all ages, including kids.
News