Skywatchers are in for an awe-inspiring spectacle tonight as a total lunar eclipse, often called a “Blood Moon”, will cast its glow across the skies of Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. For people in Bangladesh, this will be one of the clearest and most rewarding opportunities to witness the rare celestial event.
When the Sun, Earth, and Moon align in a straight line, Earth’s shadow falls on the lunar surface. Instead of disappearing into darkness, the Moon transforms into a haunting deep red orb, an effect that has captured the imagination of humans for thousands of years. Many ancient cultures considered it an omen, while modern science explains it as a stunning natural play of light.
Eclipse Timings in Bangladesh
For observers in Bangladesh, tonight’s eclipse promises a long and dramatic display:
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Penumbral phase begins: 9:28 PM (a subtle shadowing, difficult to notice at first).
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Total eclipse begins (Blood Moon appears): 11:30 PM.
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Maximum totality: Around 12:12 AM.
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Totality ends: 12:53 AM.
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Final penumbral phase ends: 2:55 AM on 8 September.
This means Bangladeshi stargazers can enjoy over three hours of partial and total phases combined, with the Moon at its most striking red for nearly 1 hour and 23 minutes.
Who Else Can See the Eclipse?
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Best views: Asia (including Bangladesh, India, China).
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Also visible: Eastern Africa and western Australia.
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Partial eclipse glimpses: Parts of Europe and Africa will see the Moon entering Earth’s shadow as it rises.
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Missed out regions: The Americas will not witness this eclipse.
Why the Moon Turns Red
Astrophysicist Ryan Milligan from Queen’s University Belfast explains that the red glow of the Moon during an eclipse happens because sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere.
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Shorter blue wavelengths are scattered out.
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Longer red wavelengths make it through and are projected onto the lunar surface.
“It’s the same reason we see brilliant red and orange colors at sunrise and sunset,” Milligan said. “That’s what gives the Moon its eerie, bloody color.”
Watching Safely
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to view with the naked eye. No glasses, filters, or pinhole projectors are required. The only essential ingredient is clear skies and, ideally, a location with minimal light pollution. For enthusiasts, binoculars or a telescope will enhance the detail, revealing the Moon’s craters bathed in crimson light.
Past and Future Eclipses
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The last total lunar eclipse occurred in March 2025, following another in 2022.
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Tonight’s event is being seen by many astronomers as a prelude to an even rarer phenomenon: a total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026.
That solar eclipse will be visible in a narrow band across parts of Spain and Iceland, marking the first totality in mainland Europe since 2006. Milligan, who has traveled the world to witness 12 totalities, described it as “the big one” for eclipse chasers.
A Night to Remember for Bangladesh
For Bangladeshis, tonight’s Blood Moon is not only a chance to admire a natural wonder but also a rare opportunity to connect with a global astronomical event. With the eclipse stretching past midnight into the early hours of September 8, families, sky enthusiasts, and casual observers alike will be able to witness the red glow of Earth’s shadow on the Moon — a spectacle that won’t return in this form until years ahead.
