Lunar Eclipse 2025: Bengaluru to See 82-Minute Long Blood Moon On Sunday

Bengaluru skywatchers are in for a rare celestial treat as a total lunar eclipse also known as a Blood Moon will be visible on the night of September 7-8, 2025. The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium has confirmed that the entire eclipse will be visible across India, including Bengaluru, provided the skies remain clear. This rare celestial event will feature 82 minutes of totality, during which the Moon will turn a deep red as it passes through Earth's shadow.

According to the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, the eclipse will begin at 8:58 PM on September 7 with the penumbral phase, followed by the partial eclipse at 9:57 PM. The much-awaited total eclipse will start at 11:00 PM and reach its maximum at 11:41 PM. The total phase will end just after midnight at 12:22 AM on September 8, while the entire event will conclude by 2:25 AM.

Lunar Eclipse Timeline (IST)

• Penumbral eclipse begins - 7 Sept, 08:58 PM
• Partial eclipse begins - 7 Sept, 09:57 PM
• Total eclipse begins - 7 Sept, 11:00 PM
• Maximum eclipse - 7 Sept, 11:41 PM
• Total eclipse ends - 8 Sept, 00:22 AM
• Partial eclipse ends - 8 Sept, 01:26 AM
• Penumbral eclipse ends - 8 Sept, 02:25 AM

The 'Chandra Grahana' will be seen all over India and the neighbouring countries.

Experts highlight that no special equipment is required to watch the eclipse. It is safe to view with the naked eye. However, enthusiasts can use binoculars or telescopes for a clearer view of the Moon's changing colors.

Superstition or sense?

Experts assure that watching the lunar eclipse with the naked eye is completely safe. They emphasize that age-old superstitions linked to eclipses lack any scientific backing and are mostly observed by only a section of people in the country, with little relevance elsewhere.

To make the event more engaging, the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium will also organize demonstration lectures and eclipse viewing sessions on the evening of September 7. Officials have noted that activities will depend on sky conditions, as Bengaluru often experiences cloudy weather during the monsoon.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon. During the total phase, the Moon often appears reddish in color, popularly known as a "blood moon."

For Bengaluru residents, this will be a rare chance to enjoy a natural spectacle late into the night, as the next total lunar eclipse visible from the city may not occur for several years.