People across Pakistan will have the chance to witness a rare celestial event this weekend. A total lunar eclipse, also known as a 'Blood Moon,' will light up the sky between September 7th and 8th, 2025 It will be visible all across the country, if the weather permits.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the eclipse will last for about five hours and 27 minutes, making it one of the year's most significant astronomical events. This is the second lunar eclipse of 2025, but unlike the earlier one in March, which wasn't visible in Pakistan, this one can be fully observed across the country. It is projected to start around 8:28pm and last until 1:55am.
'Blood Moon' is not a scientific term and doesn't appear in official PMD statements, but the name is widely used in public discourse. During this period, the moon appears reddish because as sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere, blue wavelengths are scattered more strongly, while red wavelengths bend and reach the lunar surface, which casts a red glow. The eclipse will be observable across Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia, while much of the Americas will miss the spectacle entirely. In Pakistan, visibility should be exceptional, assuming favorable weather conditions during that time.
The University of Karachi's observatory (Institute of Space Science and Technology) plans to be open for public viewing. This is the second lunar eclipse of the year visible from Pakistan. The earlier one in March 2025 wasn't sighted properly due to timing as it took place during daylight hours.
According to NASA, lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye, hence no special equipment is needed to watch this celestial event.. Binoculars or telescopes can enhance the experience but are not necessary. Skywatchers are encouraged to watch from rooftops, open fields, or dark areas away from city lights for the best view.
This eclipse is part of a busy astronomical year. A partial solar eclipse will occur on September 21, 2025, though it will not be visible in Pakistan.