September hasn’t arrived yet, but you can already make a note in your diary of a very special phenomenon: a total lunar eclipse, at a time when the natural satellite will be in its full moon phase.
This rare spectacle will take place on the night of September 7-8 (Sunday to Monday) and can be observed in some parts of Portugal, depending on the weather conditions.
The ‘blood moon’
Traditionally, September’s full moon is associated with rituals and celebrations to mark the end of summer and welcome the new season – fall. This year, the event promises to reach even more astonishing proportions.
Also known as a ‘blood moon’, the total lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth and moon align so that the natural satellite is plunged into the planet’s shadow.
At this moment, the sun’s light is filtered by the Earth’s atmosphere and projected onto the moon, giving it a hue that can vary between reddish and orange.
Where will the total lunar eclipse be visible?
According to information from the specialized website Starwalk.space, the total lunar eclipse (lasting around 82 minutes) can be seen in Europe, Australia, India, Russia, China and Africa, among other areas, excluding the Americas.
In Portugal, it is expected that the phenomenon can be seen in good conditions, particularly in the Algarve and inland areas. However, it may still be partially observed in the regions of Madeira, Lisbon and Porto.
When is the best time to look at the sky?
If the weather conditions are favorable, the phenomenon should reach its peak between 18:30 and 19:52 GMT. However, it is advisable to start monitoring 75 minutes before its peak.
Other important dates
In addition to the ‘blood moon’, September has another astronomical event, namely a partial solar eclipse, taking place on September 21, visible only in the South Pacific, New Zealand and Antarctica.
The next total lunar eclipse is scheduled for the night of March 2-3, 2026, culminating in another new blood moon. Until then, keep following our news on these and/or other astronomical phenomena!
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