Full Corn Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse to Light Up the Skies This Weekend
The full corn moon and a total lunar eclipse will coincide this weekend, creating a rare blood moon visible across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
A full corn moon will coincide with a total lunar eclipse this weekend, giving sky-watchers a rare chance to witness a stunning blood moon.
This weekend, skywatchers worldwide will witness a unique celestial event: a total lunar eclipse that coincides with the full corn moon in September.
The eclipse will be visible on Sunday throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, according to NASA. The moon will first move through a partial shadow as the sun, Earth, and moon line up, then completely sink into Earth's shadow, turning a vivid red color that is commonly referred to as a "blood moon."
Eclipse timeline (ET):
Begins: 11:28 a.m.
Totality: 1:30 p.m. – 2:53 p.m.
Ends: 4:55 p.m.
Stargazers in North and South America can still take in the splendor of the full corn moon, which peaks this weekend, even though the eclipse won't be visible due to the timing.
The Reasons Behind the Moon's Red Turn
Sunlight bends around the Earth during an eclipse. Longer red and orange wavelengths seep through the atmosphere, giving the moon a crimson glow, while shorter blue wavelengths scatter. Because of Earth's ozone layer, blue or purple fringes can occasionally be seen.
According to Noah Petro, chief scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, "a lunar eclipse is far more relaxed than a solar eclipse—you don't need glasses or a telescope, though binoculars can make it even more spectacular."
The Corn Moon: What Is It?
Harvest season is traditionally marked by the September full moon, also known as the corn moon. It will appear full to the unaided eye for several nights, but it peaks this weekend.
For the best view, experts advise locating a dark, open area away from city lights.
What's Up Next in the Sky
Unlike full moons, which happen every 29 days, lunar eclipses only happen roughly twice a year. Parts of the Americas will be able to witness the next total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026.
In the upcoming months, there will also be:
On September 21, 2025, there will be a partial solar eclipse that can be seen in Antarctica, the Atlantic, Pacific, and Australia.
There will be supermoons on October 6 (Harvest Moon), November 5 (Beaver Moon), and December 4 (Cold Moon).
Meteor showers: Draconids (Oct 8–9), Orionids (Oct 22–23), Taurids (Nov 3–9), Leonids (Nov 16–17), Geminids (Dec 13–14), and Ursids (Dec 21–22).
For many, the night sky this weekend will be an unforgettable display of cosmic color and history — a reminder of the moon’s 4.5-billion-year journey alongside Earth.
