‘Blood Moon’ rises behind cloudy skies in the Philippines

The rare astronomical event happened almost three years ago.

Early Monday, September 8, the Moon was totally eclipsed over the Philippine capital Manila and other parts of the cojntry for approximately 1 hour, 22 minutes, and 54 seconds, according to state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The Penumbral Phase began at 11:27 pm on late Sunday evening, September 7, 2025. It was then followed by the Partial Lunar Eclipse Phase that started at about 12:27 am.

The Moon entered Totality at 1:30 am, and the Maximum Eclipse occuring at 2:12 am.

During the maximum eclipse, as explained by PAGASA, “the umbral shadow cast by the Earth obscured 100% of the Moon’s disk,” a phenomenon commonly referred to as a “Blood Moon” due to the reddish hue the Moon adopts.

“This coloration occurs as Earth’s atmosphere filters and scatters sunlight, allowing only the red wavelengths to reach and illuminate the lunar surface,” the agency further explained.

The Partial Lunar Eclipse Phase lasted until 2:53 am, and the Penumbral Phase ended at 3:57 am. The Moon exit the Penumbral shadow at 4:57 am, less than an hour before the sun rose at 5:44 am.

This Total Lunar Eclipse was completely visible over East Africa, Australia, and Asia—with magnificient sightings of the phenomenon seen in India and China.

The last “Blood Moon” was seen in November 2022.

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