On the night of September 7, the skies over the United Arab Emirates will host a rare and striking astronomical event: a total lunar eclipse that will cast the Moon in a deep, reddish glow - a phenomenon popularly known as the “Blood Moon.”

According to the Dubai Astronomy Group (DAG), the eclipse is being hailed as one of the most photogenic of the decade. The total phase - when the Moon is fully enveloped in Earth’s shadow - will last an exceptional 82 minutes, making it one of the longest total lunar eclipses in recent years. The spectacle will be visible in its entirety from across the UAE.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight and casting a shadow over the lunar surface. The reddish hue is caused by sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere - a process that scatters blue light and allows red and orange tones to reach the Moon.

The event will begin at 7:28 p.m. local time with the penumbral phase, followed by the partial eclipse at 8:27 p.m. and full totality starting at 9:30 p.m. The eclipse will reach its peak at 10:12 p.m., with totality ending by 10:53 p.m. The full eclipse sequence will conclude by 12:55 a.m. on September 8.

This particular eclipse stands out not only for its vivid coloring and long duration, but also for its global visibility - nearly 87% of the world’s population will be able to view at least part of it.

The Dubai Astronomy Group is organizing a public viewing event in the city and will broadcast a global livestream, featuring real-time footage from observatories and astronomy groups on six continents. Among them are Al Sadeem Observatory in Abu Dhabi, Perth Observatory in Australia, and Astro Barcelona in Spain. A special shot of the eclipse aligned with the Burj Khalifa, in collaboration with photographer Rami Dibo, is also planned.

The eclipse is safe to view with the naked eye, though binoculars or telescopes are recommended for a closer look at the Moon’s crimson surface.

For those who miss this event, the next lunar eclipse visible from the UAE will occur on July 6, 2028 - a partial eclipse. The next total lunar eclipse visible from the region will take place on December 31, 2028, offering another chance to ring in the new year under a blood-red Moon.

Photo credits: Dubai Astronomy Group 

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.