On Sept. 7–8, 2025, skywatchers across Asia, western Australia and eastern Europe witnessed a total lunar eclipse that turned the full moon a deep red; photographers from multiple agencies captured striking images of the event as Earth’s inner shadow moved across the lunar disk.
Key takeaways
- The total lunar eclipse occurred on the night of Sept. 7–8, 2025 and was visible across much of Asia, western Australia and eastern Europe.
- Observers in those regions — collectively more than seven billion people in the eclipse’s broad viewing footprint — saw the moon enter Earth’s umbra and take on a reddish hue.
- Photographers from Anadolu, AFP and other outlets produced early images that show the progression into and out of totality, highlighting lunar maria and bright craters.
- The red color during totality is caused by sunlight filtered and refracted through Earth’s atmosphere (Rayleigh scattering) and projected onto the lunar surface.
- Notable images include shots credited to Necmettin Karaca, Hector Retamal and Ahsan Mohammed Ahmed Ahmed, photographed from cities including Dubai and Shanghai.
Verified facts
The eclipse began as the Moon moved into Earth’s inner shadow, or umbra, on Sept. 7 local time and reached totality later that night. During totality, direct sunlight is blocked and only sunlight refracted through Earth’s atmosphere illuminates the lunar surface, producing the characteristic rust-red tone commonly called a “blood moon.”
Photographs from the event show familiar lunar features. For example, Mare Crisium appears as a dark oval near the moon’s upper right in some frames, while Mare Tranquillitatis, Serenitatis and Fecunditatis are visible across the disk beneath it. Bright craters and ejecta rays are evident where sunlight grazed crater rims or where the umbra lifted.
The visual color of the eclipsed Moon depends on atmospheric conditions around Earth at the time — volcanic aerosols, dust and pollution can deepen or mute the red tone. Observers and photographers noted a range of hues from coppery to deep rust across different viewing locations.
Context & impact
Total lunar eclipses are predictable and occur when Earth lies between the Sun and Moon, casting the Moon into our planet’s shadow. This event was one of several notable lunar phenomena in 2025 that drew public attention and widespread amateur and professional photography.
Beyond public interest and photography, lunar eclipses are useful for outreach and education. Planetariums, observatories and online livestreams typically see increased engagement during these events, and many astronomy groups used the Sept. 7–8 eclipse to run observation sessions and tutorials on eclipse photography.
- Public outreach: local astronomy clubs and science centers organized viewing events.
- Science & outreach value: eclipses provide straightforward opportunities to demonstrate orbital geometry and atmospheric optics.
Official statements
A total lunar eclipse occurs when Earth moves directly between the Sun and Moon, casting its inner shadow across the lunar surface.
NASA (summary of eclipse mechanics)
Unconfirmed
- No verified reports of unusual atmospheric or astronomical phenomena beyond expected eclipse effects were identified in initial coverage.
Bottom line
The Sept. 7–8, 2025 total lunar eclipse produced dramatic imagery as the Moon passed through Earth’s umbral shadow and took on a range of red tones. Photographers from international agencies documented the event from multiple cities, creating a first gallery of images that illustrate both the eclipse’s mechanics and its visual variety. For those who missed it, many organizations posted livestream recordings and galleries shortly after the event.