7 billion will witness the Blood Moon during the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022; but Americans will have to depend on live streams

Next week, a Blood Moon will turn the night sky crimson during the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022, and the spectacle will be visible to roughly 85 per cent of the world’s population. The eclipse will take place between September 7 and 8, depending on your timezone, and will last 3 hours, 29 minutes, and 24 seconds from start to finish, with totality (Moon fully in Earth’s shadow) lasting about 82 minutes

During the eclipse, the Moon will first darken as it enters Earth’s shadow, marking the partial phase. Then, at full totality, it will glow a striking blood-red, before gradually brightening again.

For Americans, however, the news is disappointing. While the March lunar eclipse earlier this year was a spectacle for the United States, this September’s Blood Moon will largely skip the Americas, and they will have to depend on live feed.

So, from where can you watch it?

The eclipse’s totality, the phase when the Moon is completely within Earth’s shadow and turns fully red, will be visible across Asia, central and eastern Africa, and Australia. People in the rest of Africa, much of Europe, parts of Australia, and the east coast of Brazil will see at least part of the eclipse, as per the webpage timeanddate.com.

In total, about 6.3 billion people worldwide will be able to see all of the total phase, while more than 7 billion people can catch at least a partial or penumbral view. That’s roughly 85 per cent of the world’s population.

Why does the moon turn red?

During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon. Instead of disappearing completely, the Moon appears red due to Rayleigh scattering, the same effect that makes sunsets look red, as sunlight bends around Earth and filters through its atmosphere onto the Moon.

When can Americans see the next lunar eclipse?

The next total lunar eclipse visible from North America won’t arrive until early March 2026. Meanwhile, skywatchers in Asia, Africa, and Australia can enjoy one of the widest-reaching lunar eclipses in recent history, and possibly a slightly larger Moon, as the eclipse occurs just three days before perigee, its closest point to Earth.