Rare Blood Moon to illuminate UAE skies on September 7 – here’s how to watch it rise in Dubai
Dubai Astronomy Group to host global livestream with iconic Burj Khalifa view
DUBAI: A spectacular Blood Moon, caused by a rare total lunar eclipse, will grace the skies of the UAE on the evening of Sunday, September 7, 2025, continuing into the early hours of Monday, September 8.
Dubai Astronomy Group (DAG) has described it as “one of the most photogenic eclipses of the decade,” with the total phase lasting 82 minutes, making it one of the longest in recent history.
The event will be visible across much of the world, with nearly 87 percent of the global population able to view at least part of the eclipse. In the UAE, stargazers will enjoy nearly five and a half hours of celestial spectacle, ranging from the first dimming to the final shadow lifting.
Blood Moon
A Blood Moon occurs when Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that transforms the lunar surface into deep red and copper tones. The distinctive glow comes from sunlight refracted through Earth’s atmosphere, where shorter blue wavelengths are filtered out, leaving orange and red hues to paint the Moon.
Not every full moon produces an eclipse. It requires precise alignment at one of the orbital nodes, the points where the Moon’s path intersects Earth’s orbital plane. The rarity of this alignment, coupled with the unusually long totality, makes this September’s eclipse a striking astronomical highlight.
When can you watch it?
For the UAE, the eclipse begins at 7.28pm with the penumbral phase, when the Moon enters Earth’s outer shadow. By 8.27pm, the partial eclipse starts, creating a visible “bite” across the lunar surface. Totality begins at 9.30pm, with the peak occurring at 10.12pm. The Moon will gradually emerge from Earth’s shadow, with the final penumbral stage ending at 12.55am on September 8.
Timings for UAE skywatchers:
- 7:28pm – Penumbral eclipse begins
- 8:27pm – Partial eclipse begins
- 9:30pm – Total eclipse begins
- 10:12pm – Maximum eclipse (totality)
- 10:53pm – Total eclipse ends
- 11:56pm – Partial eclipse ends
- 12:55am – Penumbral eclipse ends
How to watch?
The Blood Moon can be viewed safely with the naked eye, without the need for filters or glasses. DAG recommends telescopes or binoculars for enhanced details and deeper colour, and suggests using a tripod-mounted camera for astrophotography enthusiasts.
To avoid light pollution, observers are advised to find a dark spot away from city glare. Weather conditions will play a key role in visibility, making clear skies essential for the best view.
For those unable to attend in person, DAG will host a global livestream, featuring feeds from international observatories and astronomy groups across six continents. In Dubai, the group plans a special capture of the Moon alongside the Burj Khalifa, in collaboration with photographer Rami Dibo.
What’s next for skywatchers?
Skywatchers who miss the September eclipse will have to wait until July 6, 2028, for the next lunar eclipse visible in the UAE, though it will be a partial one. A more dramatic spectacle awaits on December 31, 2028, when a total lunar eclipse will coincide with New Year’s Eve. On that night, residents will be able to witness the Blood Moon in full, marking a unique celestial start to 2029.