Lunar eclipse 2025 in UAE: Where to watch the rare Blood Moon on September 7

Dubai:  The UAE is set to witness a rare and spectacular celestial event as a total lunar eclipse, known as a 'Blood Moon,' will be visible tonight, September 7, and into the early hours of September 8. This highly anticipated astronomical sight will turn the moon a dramatic crimson color, creating a breathtaking view for stargazers across the country.

The Dubai Astronomy Group (DAG) is calling it 'one of the most photogenic eclipses of the decade.' The group is hosting a public viewing event in Dubai and is also partnering with international organizations for a global livestream of the event.

The eclipse will feature a remarkable period of totality lasting 82 minutes, making it one of the longest total lunar eclipses in recent history. This extended duration offers a fantastic opportunity for residents and photographers to witness and capture the stunning visual transformation of the moon.

What is it?

A total lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that transforms the lunar surface into a deep reddish hue, a phenomenon known as the Blood Moon. DAG explains that this glow stems from sunlight refracted through Earth’s atmosphere, filtering out blue light and letting red and orange tones illuminate the Moon.

Not every full moon leads to an eclipse. It only happens when the Moon aligns near one of its orbital nodes, the points where its path crosses Earth’s orbital plane.

When can you watch it?

Skywatchers in the UAE will enjoy nearly five and a half hours of eclipse viewing, with the key phases as follows:

7.28pm – Penumbral eclipse begins
8.27pm – Partial eclipse begins
9.30pm – Total eclipse begins
10.12pm – Maximum eclipse (totality)
10.53pm – Total eclipse ends
11.56pm – Partial eclipse ends
12.55am (Sept 8) – Penumbral eclipse ends

What do the phases mean?

Penumbral phase: The Moon enters the penumbra, the outer, lighter part of Earth’s shadow. This causes a subtle dimming that is often hard to detect with the naked eye.

Partial phase: The Moon moves into the umbra, the darker central part of Earth’s shadow. A noticeable “bite” appears on the lunar surface.

Totality: The Moon is fully inside the umbra. This is when it turns shades of red, copper, or orange, depending on Earth’s atmospheric conditions.

Ending phases: The Moon gradually moves out of the umbra and penumbra, reversing the process.

Why is it rare?

Total lunar eclipses are themselves uncommon, but this one combines a long total phase, vivid colouring, and global visibility. Nearly 87% of the world’s population will be able to observe at least part of it.

That makes this Blood Moon a rare and unmissable event for both casual observers and astronomy lovers.

How and where to watch

The eclipse is safe to view with the naked eye, and no special filters are needed. However, DAG recommends using telescopes or binoculars for stunning lunar detail and deeper red hues, and a tripod-equipped camera for capturing memorable photos.

Burj Khalifa view, more events

Dubai Astronomy Group will stream the full lunar eclipse from Dubai, offering a unique opportunity to witness the Moon passing into Earth’s shadow in real time. “Also, in the livestream we will attempt to feature a special shot capturing the eclipse with the Burj Khalifa in the frame, in collaboration with renowned photographer Rami Dibo,” the group said.

It will also host a global livestream featuring real-time feeds from partners across six continents, including Al Sadeem Astronomy (Abu Dhabi), Perth Observatory (Australia), Bahrain Stargazers, Space India, Lahore Astronomical Society (Pakistan), Astro Barcelona in Spain, Egyptian Society for Astronomy (ESA) and more.

“Our goal with this livestream is to showcase the people behind the telescopes, from professional astronomers to dedicated enthusiasts, and to unite viewers around the world under one sky. We want to celebrate the wonder of the universe, inspire curiosity, and create a shared global experience where everyone can marvel at the same celestial event, no matter where they are,” the group said.

When is the next one?

If you miss the spectacular September 7 eclipse, UAE skywatchers will have to wait until July 6, 2028, for the next lunar eclipse visible from the UAE. This will be a partial eclipse, where part of the Moon passes through Earth’s umbra, creating a distinct shadowed “bite” on its surface.

The next total lunar eclipse visible from the UAE will occur on December 31, 2028, with totality beginning at 6.03pm, peaking at 8.52pm, and ending at 11.40pm. This New Year’s Eve Blood Moon will be visible from start to finish, offering a perfect opportunity to welcome the new year under a dramatically transformed night sky.