LUNAR ECLIPSE 8TH SEPTEMBER

You're in for a treat: on the night of September 7–8, 2025, a total lunar eclipse—often called a "Blood Moon"—will grace the skies with a striking red hue.

What to Expect from This Eclipse

• The Moon will pass through Earth's penumbral and then umbral shadows, culminating in a vivid red glow during totality—where Earth fully blocks direct sunlight, and the only light reaching the Moon is filtered through Earth's atmosphere (Rayleigh scattering effects) WikipediaThe Times of IndiaAP News.

• Totality will last approximately 82 minutes, with the full eclipse event (penumbral through penumbral) spanning around 5 hours and 27 minutes WikipediaAP NewsLive ScienceThe Times of India.

• Timing (UTC):

  • P1 (Penumbral begins): ~15:28

  • U1 (Partial begins): ~16:27

  • U2 (Totality starts): ~17:30

  • Greatest eclipse: ~18:11

  • U3 (Totality ends): ~18:52

  • U4 (Partial ends): ~19:56

  • P4 (Penumbral ends): ~20:55 Wikipedia.

• Visibility from London: the Moon will be rising already in eclipse and reach totality roughly between 19:30 and 19:52 BST Space+1AP News.

• Geographic visibility:

  • Complete visibility: Asia, Australia (especially Western), and parts of Africa SpaceNASA ScienceAP News.

  • Europe (incl. London): partial, especially on moonrise—still a great view Space+1AP News.

  • Not visible: the Americas, as they’ll be in daylight or twilight AP NewsSpace.

How to Photograph the Eclipse

Capturing the Blood Moon is totally doable with some basic night photography gear and preparation.

Gear Essentials

• Camera with manual controls, any DSLR or mirrorless will do National Parks at NightSpace.

• Telephoto lens—a 400 mm or longer focal length is ideal for detailed shots of the Moon’s surface Sky at Night Magazine. If you want some landscape context, a 14–20 mm wide-angle lens lets you capture the Moon alongside Earthly scenery Space.

• Sturdy tripod—to minimise camera shake B&H Photo VideoNational Parks at Night.

• Optional but helpful: remote shutter release, intervalometer, or a tracking mount for sharp long exposures National Parks at NightSky at Night Magazine.

Camera Settings to Try

• Aperture: around f/8–f/11 for sharp results. Avoid stopping down beyond f/11 (e.g., f/16 or f/22), which can soften images Photography Life.

• Shutter speed: during totality, the Moon appears darker—start with around 0.5 to 1 second exposure and adjust as needed Reddit.

• ISO: start with ISO 800; adjust upward to brighten the Moon but be cautious of noise Reddit.

• Use a 2–5 second shutter delay to prevent shake from pressing the button Reddit.

Practical Tips

• Frame your shot early, considering how the Moon moves across the sky.

• If you have a tracking mount, it will help keep the Moon centered for longer exposures Sky at Night Magazine.

• Consider capturing the progression of the eclipse with a series of shots throughout penumbral, partial, total, and exit phases.

• Scout your location ahead of time, find a spot with a clear eastern horizon, minimal light pollution, and interesting foregrounds if you want creative compositions.