Lunar eclipses have fascinated humans for centuries, painting the night sky with a mysterious reddish glow. On September 7, 2025, stargazers across Asia, parts of Europe, and Africa were treated to a stunning “blood moon” during a total lunar eclipse.
Among the thousands of eclipses recorded over millennia, a few stand out for their extraordinary duration, and some eclipses have lasted nearly two hours, captivating skywatchers worldwide
Here are seven of the longest total lunar eclipses ever documented in the history of humanity, according to NASA
This happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up perfectly, and Earth casts its shadow on the Moon, making it glow a deep, reddish colour. The reddish hue appears because the only sunlight reaching the Moon passes through Earth’s atmosphere. As light travels through the atmosphere, the shorter blue wavelengths scatter more easily, while the longer red wavelengths pass through and reach the Moon, giving it that dark red glow.
Each eclipse leaves behind not only breathtaking visuals but also cultural stories and myths passed down through generations. These celestial alignments remind us of the vastness of the cosmos and our small but curious place within it.