A total lunar eclipse was visible in Israel and much of Asia on Sunday, offering a striking celestial display.
In Israel, the eclipse began at 7:27 P.M., when the Earth’s shadow first touched the moon, about 37 minutes after moonrise. At 8:30 P.M., it reached totality – the “blood moon” phase – lasting an hour and 22 minutes, with the peak at 9:12 P.M. The eclipse will then gradually return to partial before ending at 11:55 P.M.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. During totality, shorter wavelengths of light – blue and violet – are absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere, while longer red wavelengths are refracted, giving the moon a reddish hue. The effect will be especially pronounced this evening, as the moon is relatively close to Earth and will appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.
The eclipse was visible to the naked eye, but the best views were from darker locations. There was some cloud cover, though public viewing events were planned across the country.
The phenomenon was also visible throughout the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, stretching eastward to the Philippines and Western Australia, and as far north as the Arctic and south to Antarctica.
This is the second total lunar eclipse of 2025. Earlier this year, the best viewing was in the Americas. The next total lunar eclipse will not occur until late 2028. A partial solar eclipse is expected later this month, visible only from New Zealand, Antarctica and parts of Australia.
