The Moon's Red Makeover: What's Happening This Weekend?

This weekend, the moon is getting a dramatic glow-up. It's not just any full moon, but a "blood moon." This happens when the moon passes through Earth's shadow, and the sunlight that sneaks through our atmosphere gives the moon a reddish-orange hue. It's like all the sunrises and sunsets on Earth are painting the moon red.

The Show Starts on September 7, 2025

The spectacle begins on the night of September 7, 2025. People in Australia, Asia, and Africa will get the best seats. Europe might catch a glimpse as the moon sets. Unfortunately, North America will miss out on this one. The whole eclipse, from start to finish, will last nearly six hours. That's a lot of time to enjoy the view!

A Spectrum of Colors

The moon's color isn't set in stone. It can be copper, orange, pink, or red. It all depends on what's happening in Earth's atmosphere. Dust, clouds, and even wildfire smoke can change the moon's color. About 4.9 billion people will get to see this "blood moon" from the night side of Earth.

Why Does the Moon Turn Red?

You might be wondering, why does the moon turn red during a total lunar eclipse? Well, when the Earth is between the sun and the moon, it blocks direct sunlight from hitting the moon. But some light still gets through. It's bent, or refracted, through Earth's atmosphere. This is the same thing that makes sunsets look red. So, the moon ends up with a reddish-orange color.

Another Chance in 2026

If you miss this eclipse, don't worry. There's another one coming up on March 2/3, 2026. That one will be visible from North America, Australia, and East Asia. The moon will be reddish for about 58 minutes. If you're on the western side of the U.S. and Canada, you'll get the best view.

Bonus: Moon and Saturn

And there's more! The night after the "Corn Moon" and the total lunar eclipse, the moon and Saturn will be really close to each other in the sky. Saturn will be at its brightest all month on September 21. So, grab a pair of binoculars or a small telescope. You won't want to miss this!