New Yorkers, prepare for a breathtaking show in the night sky. On the night of Sunday, September 7th, the moon will slip into Earth’s shadow, transforming into a deep, fiery red during a total lunar eclipse, an event more commonly known as a Blood Moon. This eclipse is no ordinary one–the totality phase will last over 80 minutes, making it one of the longest in recent years.
The celestial event will be the second total lunar eclipse of 2025, and if the weather plays along, roughly 77% of the planet’s population will see the show.
What Is A Total Lunar Eclipse?
According to NASA, a total lunar eclipse is when the entire Moon falls within the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra.
What Makes It A Blood Moon?
When the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, our atmosphere filters sunlight, scattering blue tones and allowing only the red and orange wavelengths to reach the moon–the more dust or clouds in Earth’s atmosphere during the eclipse, the redder the moon appears.
The result? A glowing orb that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie.
This particular eclipse happens just 2.7 days before the moon reaches perigee–the point where it’s closest to Earth. While it won’t quite be a supermoon, it will look slightly larger than usual, adding to the drama.
Will You See It From NYC?
Though roughly 6.2 billion people will see the show, unfortunately New York won’t get the full view of the eclipse–it will be in progress before the moon rises here. But as it climbs above the horizon, it will already be glowing red, making for an incredibly dramatic sight over the city skyline.
Moonrise in NYC on September 7th is around 7:15 pm, right during the height of totality. That means if skies are clear, you’ll get the unforgettable experience of seeing the moon rise already transformed into a crimson sphere.
Best Spots To Watch In NYC
For the best views, head somewhere with a clear line to the eastern horizon, like:
- Brooklyn Bridge Park — iconic skyline + lunar magic
- Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City — uninterrupted East River views
- East River Esplanade — perfect for catching moonrise over the water
If clouds ruin the show, you can still catch the full spectacle via livestreams from observatories worldwide. Time and Date’s livestream can be seen below:
Why This Blood Moon Is Special
- It’s the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022
- Visible to 77% of the world’s population
- Happens during a rarely long totality phase
- Will rise already red in NYC, unlike most eclipses
Mark your calendars–whether you watch in person or online, this will be the most dramatic lunar display of 2025!
After September 2025, When Is The Next Total Lunar Eclipse?
The next total lunar eclipse will occur on March 2nd-3rd, 2026, according to Space.com, and will be visible from Eastern Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Arctic, and Antarctica