A total lunar eclipse only occurs every 3 years, and this weekend you’re able to see a total lunar eclipse, where the earth blocks the light from the sun getting to the moon – as the moon moves into the earth’s shadow. It’s a fantastic, and rare opportunity to photograph this event, but you will need to plan ahead as it can be tricky to get a good view.
When is the total Lunar eclipse?
The total lunar eclipse is happening on Sunday September 7th (2025), and the time of the ‘Blood moon’ eclipse is between 6.30pm BST and 7.55pm BST. Although the moon will be quite low to the horizon, and will already be in total eclipse as it rises on the horizon, so this will make it more difficult to see. You’ll also need to make sure you get a high viewpoint, with nothing blocking your view of the horizon to the East, for the best chance of seeing it. If you live further south/southeast, your chances of seeing it are increased. (Source)
Who can see it?
The lunar eclipse will be visible in the UK, Australia, Africa, Asia, and Europe, but unfortunately not in the US. Depending where you are, you may be able to see the partial eclipse as the eclipse ends, particularly if you’re in a more northern location.
How often does the Lunar eclipse happen?
There are usually 2-5 lunar eclipses per year, but these are often just partial eclipses, and visibility depends on where you are in the world. A total eclipse only tends to occur every three years, with two happening in the same year. (Source)
When is the next total Lunar eclipse?
There is a total lunar eclipse 7th September 2025, but if you’re unable to see this one, the next total lunar eclipse is expected to happen 3 March 2026 (US, Australia, East Asia only). (Source: skyatnightmagazine.com)
When was the last total Lunar eclipse?
15-16 May 2022, and before that January 2019.
Why is it called the blood moon?
As the earth blocks the light from the sun, the moon will turn a red colour. The moon will turn red because of an effect known as Rayleigh Scattering, where bands of green and violet light become filtered through the atmosphere.
How do you photograph the lunar eclipse?
You’ll need a tripod, and ideally a telephoto lens (300-600mm equivalent or more), particularly if you want to show the moon as large as possible in the frame.
By using a self-timer or remote release, you can avoid camera shake. You’ll also need to adjust your exposure as the level of light changes as the moon becomes darker and darker, as it moves into the shadow of the earth.
Beware of clouds – if there are clouds in the sky, then this will cause problems viewing the lunar eclipse. Sometimes you might get lucky if there’s a break in the clouds. Be prepared for the moon’s position to change in your frame over time.
You’ll need to make sure your camera can correctly focus on the moon, or alternatively you’ll need to switch to manual focus to ensure the focus is spot on. Focus peaking, and/or a magnified view can help with this.
Shooting in raw (and JPEG) gives you the ability adjust the images later, to tweak noise and colour if needed. Don’t be surprised if your photo of the blood moon isn’t as red as other images you’ve seen of the moon on the internet – you will most likely have to play with saturation settings to match others!
Why is light pollution a problem for night photography?
Light pollution, such as streetlights, and lights from houses and buildings make it more difficult to see the dark night sky, as the lights effectively light up anything in the air, making it difficult to get a clear photo of the stars and other objects in the sky, such as the moon.
Therefore, it’s important to be away from any light pollution, so if you can get into the countryside then this will give you the clearest view of the sky. You can use a website such as www.lightpollutionmap.info to lookup the levels of light pollution near you, to see if there are any areas nearby that will give a clearer view of the sky. This is of particular importance when shooting stars and astrophotography.
Where else can I watch the lunar eclipse?
If you can’t make it out to see the eclipse, or have cloud issues, then you will be able to watch a live stream of the lunar eclipse, on the timeanddate.com website.
Shooting the night sky can be a challenging, but rewarding photography skill, see more guides here:
- Top tips from astronomy photographer of the year winners.
- How to photograph the moon – and super moon!
- Best cameras for low-light photography and video
If you want to shoot more amazing low-light photographs, have a look at our guide on how to shoot aurorae, star trails, and the moon.
Lead Photo: Composite photo of the supermoon lunar eclipse of 2015 as seen from North America. The photo shows the moon through 8 various stages during the eclipse ending with the full “Blood moon” A.K.A. “Harvest Moon”. Credit: Vittgenstein, Getty Images.
