Blood Moon: Redder moon during the total lunar eclipse to dazzle South Africans

If South Africans see the moon looking a little redder on Sunday night, they should not panic, as there is nothing apocalyptic afoot, but rather a “Blood Moon” which will occur during the total lunar eclipse.

The South Africa Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF), explained that a total lunar eclipse will be visible on Sunday, 07 September 2025.

“In Cape Town, the partial phase will already be underway by moonrise at 6.24pm SAST, with the totality running from 7.30pm to 8.52pm, and maximum occurring at 8.11pm.

“In Johannesburg, timings will essentially be the same with moonrise at 5.49pm; with the totality running from 7.30pm to 8.52pm; maximum occurring at 8.11pm.”

SAASTA explained that for those interested in seeing the lunar eclipse, they should look East/East-North-East from a spot with a clear low horizon (the moon is low as totality begins).

“Unlike a solar eclipse, no eye protection is needed. Binoculars or a small telescope will enhance the view. For photos, stabilise your phone or camera, tap-focus on the Moon, lower the exposure a bit, and try a short-to-moderate zoom,” they said.

“As the moon moves fully into Earth’s shadow, it will glow deep red—the classic 'Blood Moon’. Expect the red colour to be most striking between 7.30pm and 8.52pm SAST, fading as the eclipse exits totality. The partial phase will end around 9.56pm, with penumbral shading lingering until 10.55pm (Cape Town time),” they said.

The South African Astronomical Observatory (NRF-SAAO) will host a special public viewing aligned with the eclipse (weather permitting) in Cape Town. Members of the public will be able to view the moon through SAAO amateur telescopes and join guided walk-throughs.

Science Engagement Astronomer at SA Astronomical Observatory, Daniel Cunnama, in a CapeTalk interview, said: “The lunar eclipse happens fairly regularly, more often than a solar eclipse, every couple of years or 18 months, you’ll experience a lunar eclipse.

“Think of a sunset or a sunrise, the sun is passing through the atmosphere, and quite a lot of atmosphere, so when the sun is directly above, it only has to pass through less than 100 kilometres of atmosphere.

“When it is very low to the horizon, it has to pass through much more atmosphere, and what that means is that the light from the sun scatters. It scatters a lot more and appears redder. That is why the sunsets and the sunrises are red.

“And what is happening for the moon is if you were sitting on the moon, during a lunar eclipse, you would see, essentially, a sunset, all around the Earth. There is this red light passing through our atmosphere and then projected onto the moon, making it red,” Cunnama said.

“For all intents and purposes, the redness of it is very predictable, from the perspective of the moon. If you are looking at a sunset or a sunrise, then it is very predicated on where you are, like if you were in the Karoo, where there is lots of dust, then it would be quite different to what it is like when it sets over the ocean.”

Table Mountain National Park has also urged the public to be cautious as they anticipate many visitors wanting to experience the full moon and lunar eclipse from various vantage points on the mountain.

“Please visit in groups of more than four for safety purposes. A lunar eclipse is different from a solar eclipse, which you should never stare at directly. Visibility across the city of Cape Town is expected to be optimal, and no glasses or filters are needed,” they said.

They added that heavy traffic and crowding are anticipated around Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Kloof Corner, and urged the public to save their emergency number before setting off. Table Mountain National Park Emergency Number 086 110 6417, and Wilderness Search and Rescue Number 021 937 0300 or dial 112.

“Your safety is our priority. Thank you for helping us protect both people and the park.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za