People in Pakistan to witness rare ‘Blood Moon’ on Sunday night

A total lunar eclipse, commonly described as “Blood Moon,” will be visible in Pakistan on the night between September 7 and 8, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

A Blood Moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking direct sunlight. The Moon takes on a reddish hue as sunlight bends and scatters through the Earth’s atmosphere.

PMD officials clarified that “Blood Moon” is not a scientific term, which is why it does not appear in official press releases, though they confirmed the Moon will indeed appear red during the event.

According to the PMD, the eclipse will last for 5 hours and 27 minutes and will be visible not only in Pakistan but also in large parts of the world.

The phenomenon can be seen in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific region, as well as some areas of western North America and eastern South America. Countries including India, Bangladesh, China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia will also witness the eclipse.

Also Read: Partial solar eclipse today but Paksitan won't get a view

Stargazers in Europe and Africa will get only a short glimpse of a partial eclipse as the Moon rises in the early evening, while those in the Americas will not be able to view it.

Explaining the reddish appearance, Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at Queen’s University Belfast, said the Moon looks red during a lunar eclipse because the only light reaching it is “reflected and scattered through the Earth’s atmosphere.”

He noted that blue wavelengths are shorter and scatter more easily than red, which is why the remaining light gives the Moon its distinct “bloody” colour.

Unlike solar eclipses, which require protective glasses or projectors, lunar eclipses can be observed safely with the naked eye — provided skies are clear and viewers are in the right location.

The last total lunar eclipse took place in March this year, while the one before that was observed in 2022.