Lunar eclipse pronounced over Germany: Scarlet moon to be witnessed within a few days
The night skies over Germany are set to be graced by a celestial spectacle as two total lunar eclipses are scheduled to occur in the coming years. On September 7, 2025, and December 31, 2028, the Earth will move between the moon and the sun in its orbit, casting a shadow on the lunar surface and transforming the moon into a "blood moon" - a copper-red or orange hue.
During a total lunar eclipse, sunlight is refracted inward by the Earth's atmosphere, giving the moon a reddish-brown tone. This unique event can be safely observed with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope.
The next total lunar eclipse visible in the German-speaking region will be on December 31, 2028. Cities in eastern Germany, such as those in Schleswig-Holstein and the broader eastern region, will have particularly good conditions to observe the total lunar eclipse, as the moon will rise already in the total phase near the horizon around 19:30 to 19:50 CET, making a clear, unobstructed eastern horizon ideal for visibility.
On September 7, 2025, the total lunar eclipse will be visible over Germany on Sunday. The total lunar eclipse begins at 19:31 CEST, and the maximum eclipse will be at 20:12, with the total phase ending around 20:53. The moon during this eclipse will be fully eclipsed when it rises. Observers might have to wait until the moon rises above the Earth's atmosphere to see the total lunar eclipse.
In Munich, the moon will appear in the sky around 19:40 while the sun sets at 19:43. The moon's change from a crescent to a full moon during the total lunar eclipse might make it difficult to spot the "blood moon" near the horizon due to its darker and reddish tint.
For those seeking a guided observation, two observatories in Berlin offer live observations through professional telescopes. Additionally, several observatories in Germany, such as the Stuttgart observatory and the Bodensee Planetarium in Kreuzlingen near Konstanz, will be open for the total lunar eclipse.
Whether you choose to observe the total lunar eclipse with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope, this cosmic event promises to be an awe-inspiring sight not to be missed. So, mark your calendars for September 7, 2025, and December 31, 2028, and prepare to witness the magic of the total lunar eclipse.
