Blood Moon 2025: Longest total lunar eclipse since 2022 dazzles India; Missed it due to clouds? Watch Chandra Grahan pics & videos here

From the high plateaus of Ladakh to the coastal edges of Tamil Nadu, skywatchers lifted their gaze on Sunday night to witness one of the year’s most breathtaking spectacles, the Blood Moon. The rare total lunar eclipse had stargazers, scientists, and casual onlookers alike marvelling at the night sky.

The celestial show began at 9:57 pm when Earth’s shadow started to gently veil the Moon. By 11:01 pm, the lunar disc had slipped fully into darkness, glowing in a surreal copper-red hue that lasted an extraordinary 82 minutes before slowly fading back into silver.


“The Moon will be fully eclipsed from 11:01 pm to 12:23 am, making this the longest visible total lunar eclipse in India since 2022,” explained Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Head of Science Communication, Public Outreach and Education (SCOPE) at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.

Why does the Moon turn red?

As former Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium director B. S. Shylaja noted, the crimson glow owes itself to Earth’s atmosphere. When sunlight filters through, shorter wavelengths scatter, allowing only the red and orange hues to reach and reflect off the Moon’s surface. It is the same effect that paints sunsets and sunrises in warm tones.

Watching under cloudy skies

While monsoon clouds blocked views in parts of the country, enthusiasts weren’t left disappointed. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics trained its telescopes in Bengaluru, Ladakh, and Tamil Nadu on the event, streaming it live for audiences across the globe. Amateur astronomers also shared live feeds, ensuring the phenomenon reached millions despite the clouds.

The eclipse wasn’t confined to India. Viewers across Asia, Europe, Africa, and western Australia also had a chance to enjoy the spectacle. For India, it was the first total lunar eclipse visible nationwide since July 2018. The next such event will occur on 31 December 2028.

Myths versus science

In India, eclipses are steeped in cultural traditions and superstitions. Many still avoid eating or drinking, while some believe eclipses may affect pregnant women. Scientists, however, have long dismissed such claims.

“Lunar eclipses are nothing more than Earth’s shadow falling on the Moon, a shadow play in the sky that is completely harmless,” Ramanujam emphasised, urging people to enjoy the view with the naked eye, binoculars, or telescopes without fear.

A cosmic reminder

Unlike solar eclipses, no protective glasses or filters are needed. The Blood Moon of September 2025 was not just a dazzling natural phenomenon but also a reminder of how ancient science and modern awareness must work hand in hand.

As the copper glow faded into the quiet silver of the familiar Moon, millions were left with a sense of awe, and perhaps a renewed appreciation for the cosmic theatre playing out above us.