Blood Moon returns to Pakistan this weekend

People throughout Pakistan will have the opportunity to watch a rare celestial event this weekend. A total lunar eclipse, also known as blood moon, will light the sky from September 7th and 8th.

According to the Pakistan meteorological department (PMD), the eclipse will take about five hours and 27 minutes, making it one of the most important astronomical events of the year. This is the second lunar eclipse of 2025, but unlike the previous March, which was not visible in Pakistan, this can be fully observed throughout the country. It is projected to start around 8:28 pm and last until 1:55 am

Blood Moon is not a scientific term and does not appear in official PMD statements, but the name is widely used in public discourse. During this time, the moon appears reddish because as the sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, the blue wavelengths are scattered more intense, while the red wavelengths bend and reach the lunar surface, which throws a red glow. The eclipse will be observed throughout Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia, while much of America will lose the spectacle entirely. In Pakistan, visibility should be excellent, assuming favorable weather conditions during this period.

The Observatory at the University of Karachi (University of Science and Technology Institute) plans to be open to public promotion. This is the second lunar eclipse of the year visible by Pakistan. The previous March 2025 had not seen it properly due to the fact that it took place during the hours of day.

According to NasaLunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye, so no special equipment is required to watch this celestial event. Bigs or telescopes can enhance the experience but are not necessary. Skywatchers are encouraged to watch from roofs, open fields or dark areas away from the city’s lights for the best view.

This eclipse is part of a busy astronomical year. A partial solar eclipse will take place on September 21, 2025, although it will not be visible in Pakistan.