People watch on a video beam screen a full moon during a "Blood Moon" total lunar eclipse.
Credits: Reuters photo
It's time to mark your calendar! Save the dates of September 7 and 8 to encounter the stunning celestial sight of the 'Blood Moon' known as Chandra Grahan this year.
The concept of Blood Moon existed as curiosity, mystery and foreboding (as per ancestors) for years long, but modern science had proven that it's a simple result of a celestial alignment as well as atmospheric physical physics. The lunar eclipse will be fully visible across many countries in Asia and Western Australia.
What is Blood Moon and its connection to climate?
In the particular alignment, this reddish colour, known as the Blood Moon effect, results from Rayleigh scattering when the sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths away, while longer red wavelengths bend toward the Moon, illuminating it in crimson tones.
The partial eclipses occurs when only a portion of the Moon is shadowed by the Earth, a total eclipse covers the entire lunar surface, resulting in that deep red color.
The scientific basis for the red glow also includes climate connections like smoke from wildfires, dust volcanic particles, even clouds that are heavy can alter its color.
Top locations with 'Blood Moon' visibility in India
Sky lovers from Asia and Western Australia can watch the complete celestial show unfold while parts of Europe, Africa, eastern Australia, and New Zealand will catch a glimpse of it whereas North America and South America will miss the show.
North India: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow
West India: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune
South India: Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi
East India: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati
Central India: Bhopal, Nagpur, Raipur
Timings to experience the occurence
The Blood moon phase lasts long for about 82 minutes, a wholesome time to enjoy the stunning spectacle alone or with family & friends.
Eclipse begins: 8:58 PM IST (September 7)
Totality (Blood Moon phase): 11:00 PM IST to 12:22 AM IST
Eclipse ends: 2:25 AM IST (September 8)
Tips to enjoy the phenomenon
Best spots are rooftops, terraces, fields, or parks away from city lights. Avoid light pollution for the full effect.
Unlike solar eclipses, it's completely safe to view with the naked eye and no protective gear is required.
You can also use binoculars or a telescope for details like lunar craters and the red gradient. Apps like Stellarium or SkySafari can help locate it.
Use a DSLR/smartphone on a tripod with long exposures (1-2 seconds), ISO 400-800, and manual focus to capture the phenomenon. Capture the progression for a time-lapse.
When is the next occurence in India?
According to space research, the 'Blood Moon' won't be observed for another 177 days until the whole phenomenon is visible from the parts of North America. Probably, the next sight in India could be on March 2 and 3, 2026.