Total lunar eclipse (blood moon) will rise over Pakistan tonight, giving sky watchers the chance to see the moon glow in striking shades of red during one of the most dramatic astronomical events of the year.
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) confirmed that the eclipse will begin at 8:30pm, reach its peak at 11:57pm, and end at 1:55am in the early hours of Sunday. Large parts of Asia, Africa and Europe will also witness the spectacle, but clear skies across Pakistan will offer some of the best views.
A lunar eclipse happens when Earth moves directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface. Unlike solar eclipses, the event is completely safe to view with the naked eye, binoculars or telescopes.
As the alignment unfolds, the moon will shift from its usual silver glow to a deep red hue. The total lunar eclipse blood moon occurs because sunlight bending through Earth’s atmosphere scatters blue light and filters red wavelengths onto the moon. The effect has long captured human imagination, inspiring myths, superstitions and scientific study across cultures.
Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at Queen’s University Belfast, explained the phenomenon. “Earth’s atmosphere acts like a massive lens. It scatters the shorter blue wavelengths of light while allowing the longer red wavelengths to pass through. That’s why during a total lunar eclipse the moon takes on this extraordinary red glow,” he said.
SUPARCO urged students, astronomy enthusiasts and the public to step outside tonight and enjoy the rare sight, which will continue until after midnight.
For many in Pakistan, the total lunar eclipse blood moon promises not only a breathtaking view but also a reminder of the powerful forces at work in the cosmos, visible from their own rooftops and open fields.
