On the evening of September 7 and into the early hours of September 8, skywatchers across parts of Asia, western Australia, and eastern Europe will have the chance to witness a captivating astronomical event—a total lunar eclipse that transforms the moon into a stunning “blood moon.” As Earth’s shadow moves across the lunar surface, viewers can expect a breathtaking spectacle.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, momentarily enveloping the moon in its shadow and casting an intense reddish hue across the surface. This phenomenon results from the scattering of sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere, where shorter wavelengths are dispersed, leaving the longer red wavelengths to illuminate the moon. The result is a breathtaking sight that has captivated observers throughout history.

The event will unfold in several distinct stages, beginning with the penumbral phase, when Earth’s outer shadow starts to touch the moon. This subtle shading will be most noticeable around 11:28 a.m. EDT (1528 GMT) as a slight darkening appears, and the moon begins its dance into the deeper parts of Earth’s shadow.

As the eclipse progresses to the umbral phase at approximately 12:27 p.m. EDT (1627 GMT), the moon will be draped in the more defined darkness of Earth’s inner shadow. At this point, observers will see a dramatic visual shift as Most of the moon’s surface begins to vanish behind the shadow, and the lunar disk might take on a reddish-brown tone.

The totality phase, reaching its peak around 1:30 p.m. EDT (1730 GMT), will last an estimated 82 minutes. During this captivating moment, the moon will glow in vibrant shades of red and orange, a cosmic reflection of every sunset and sunrise occurring on Earth at that instant. Factors such as weather conditions and airborne particulates can affect the brightness and coloration, leading to a unique experience for each observer.

As the total phase concludes and the eclipsed moon begins to emerge from Earth’s shadow at 2:52 p.m. EDT (1852 GMT), viewers will reconnect with the bright crescent of the moon’s surface. This partial eclipse stage will last just over an hour, followed by the complete diminishing of the eclipse by 4:55 p.m. EDT (2055 GMT).

For those unable to catch the event in real-time, live streams will offer a front-row seat to this celestial phenomenon. Binoculars and telescopes can enhance the experience, but the lunar eclipse can be safely viewed with the naked eye, unlike solar eclipses that require special protective glasses.

Following the total lunar eclipse, a partial solar eclipse is scheduled for September 21, which will be visible in parts of southern Australia and some Pacific islands, adding to the excitement of astronomical events this month. Enthusiasts are encouraged to seize the moment, either through direct observation or by tuning into livestreams, as nature’s light show unfolds in the night sky.