The Blood Moon 2025 is going to soon shine its bright color on the skies of the UAE. On September 7, a total lunar eclipse will turn the moon as red as it is possible, providing the Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah stargazers with front-row seats to one of the most captivating sights that nature has to offer. This eclipse is becoming memorable with its length and total visibility in the Emirates.
What Exactly Is a Blood Moon?
A blood moon is a complete lunar eclipse that occurs when the Earth is in the middle of the Moon and the Sun. The moon is not completely dark: it goes copper-red. It is sunlight bouncing off the Earth’s atmosphere and diffusing the blue light, leaving only red to reach the surface of the moon.
So as compared to solar eclipses, protective glasses are not needed. You can get outside and see the view with your naked eye, or your binoculars, or even your phone camera.
When Is Blood Moon 2025?
It will be on Sunday, September 7, 2025, and last well beyond midnight on the night of September 7, into the early hours of September 8. Many people often ask, “When is blood moon 2025?” This is the date that you should mark on your calendar. It could not come at a more appropriate time; the weekend is here, and this means that families, students, and astronomers can go to sleep late without the fear that they will have to work or go to school the following day.
What Time to View Blood Moon in UAE
Everything depends on the timing of eclipses. The entire program of the UAE (Gulf Standard Time) is:
7:28 PM – Penumbral phase begins
8:27 PM – Partial eclipse starts
9:30 PM – Total eclipse begins
10:12 PM – Peak, when the moon glows its deepest red
10:53 PM – Total eclipse ends
11:56 PM – Partial eclipse ends
12:55 AM (Sept 8) – Final penumbral phase finishes
That’s nearly five and a half hours of viewing, with the blood moon at its most dramatic for 82 minutes of totality.
Best Spots to Watch in UAE
The Emirates offer an unbeatable mix of deserts, coastlines, and mountains for eclipse watching. Here are some of the top picks:
Dubai
Al Qudra Desert: Dark skies, minimal city lights, ideal for stargazing.
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve: Quiet, scenic, and perfect for group viewing.
Downtown Dubai: Imagine the red moon rising behind Burj Khalifa—a photographer’s dream.
Abu Dhabi
Al Wathba Desert: Popular among amateur astronomers.
Al Khazna area: A peaceful spot away from city glare.
Corniche: Combines skyline views with a family-friendly atmosphere.
Ras Al Khaimah
Coastal corniches: A relaxing place to watch the reflection of the eclipse on the water.
Desert outskirts: Wide open skies for uninterrupted views.
Mountain Escapes
Jebel Jais and Hatta: Elevated spots that offer crisp skies and fewer atmospheric distortions.
Why This Eclipse Stands Out
Several things make this lunar eclipse extraordinary:
Full visibility – The entire sequence, from the faint penumbral phase to the fiery totality, will be seen clearly across the UAE.
Convenient timing – Happening in the evening, it’s easy to step out after dinner and enjoy.
Long duration – The 82 minutes of totality make it one of the longest eclipses in recent memory.
Community events – Groups like the Dubai Astronomy Group are expected to host viewing sessions with telescopes, talks, and family-friendly activities.
Capturing Blood Moon Pictures
Many will want to take home stunning blood moon pictures. Here are a few tips to help:
Use a tripod: Even the steadiest hands can’t hold a long exposure still.
Smartphone users: Switch to Pro mode, set ISO around 200–800, and slow your shutter speed to let in more light.
Camera users: For close-ups, use a telephoto lens (200–600mm). For skyline shots, go wide with a 24–70mm lens.
Experiment with settings: During partial phases, try f/8, ISO 100. During totality, open to f/4–5.6, bump ISO to 400–1600, and slow the shutter.
Frame it with landmarks: A blood-red moon beside Burj Khalifa, desert dunes, or Abu Dhabi’s Corniche skyline makes for breathtaking shots.
How Frequent Are Blood Moons?
If you’re wondering, “How frequent are blood moons?”, the answer is: not very. On average, the world gets two total lunar eclipses every three years. However, each location sees them at different intervals. For the UAE, the September 2025 blood moon is special; it’s the last fully visible total lunar eclipse until 2028.
How Many Blood Moons Have We Had?
According to astronomy records, there are 228 lunar eclipses that will occur in the years between 2000 and 2100, and some of them are total. So, when people ask, “How many blood moons have we had?”, the answer depends on the timeline. The UAE doesn’t always get to see each one, which makes this September’s event a must-watch.
Conclusion
The human imagination has always been fascinated by the night sky, and Blood Moon 2025 will be one of those rare occasions when science meets beauty. This is one heavenly show that cannot be missed, with the entire event viewable in the UAE, with clear desert skies and beautiful city backgrounds.
In both cases, whether you are on your way into the desert, or you are setting up on a mountain, or even when you are on your balcony, you will be sharing with a worldwide audience of people gazing up in awe. Get your cameras packed, work out where to shoot, and have a night where the moon will go red over the Emirates.
For more details on the science behind the event, the Blood Moon 2025.
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