Lunar Eclipse 2025: Skywatchers rejoice as rare ‘blood moon’ graces night sky in celestial spectacle

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Chennai: In a breath-taking celestial event that captivated millions, a rare Total Lunar Eclipse, popularly known as a “Blood Moon,” was visible across India and much of the world on Sunday night. The astronomical phenomenon, which began at 9:37 PM IST, held the public in awe as the moon gradually slipped into Earth’s shadow, turning a dramatic coppery-red hue. The eclipse reached its peak totality at 11:00 PM, with the moon remaining in this complete, blood-colored state for a full 85 minutes, finally concluding at 1:27 AM on Monday.

This event was particularly significant as it was the longest lunar eclipse since 2022. For those who missed this spectacular show, the next opportunity to witness a similar celestial miracle will not be until December 31, 2028. The rarity of the event drew everyone from curious children to seasoned adults to open spaces, beaches, and rooftops across the country to marvel at the cosmic display.

Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is perfectly safe to view with the naked eye, allowing for unfiltered public enjoyment.

A Fusion of Astronomy and Spirituality During Chandra Grahan

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align perfectly in a straight line, causing Earth’s shadow to fall upon the Moon’s surface. The striking blood-red colour, which gives the event its name, appears because Earth’s atmosphere scatters sunlight, bending red wavelengths onto the Moon even during totality. The technical totality phase, where the Moon was entirely within Earth’s umbral shadow, occurred from 11:42 PM to 12:33 AM.

Beyond its astronomical significance, the Chandra Grahan is also considered a major spiritual event in India, leading to specific ritualistic changes and temple closures during the period. Despite these traditional practices, there was widespread public interest in observing the event.

In Chennai alone, special public viewing arrangements were made at ten different locations to allow citizens to gather and experience this rare wonder of the natural world together. The eclipse was also visible to observers across vast regions, including Asia, Europe, Australia, and South America, uniting people across the globe under one spectacular sky.