The lunar eclipse / blood moon as seen from Tairua.
Photo: Sandra Morris / supplied
Early risers had an opportunity to bask in the crimson glow of the blood moon on Monday morning.
The total lunar eclipse was visible across New Zealand early as the moon passed through Earth’s shadow.
Otago Museum director Dr Ian Griffin described the breathtaking scene.
The eclipse over Auckland, as seen from Scenic View Point.
Photo: Robbie Rodolfo / @robrodolfo.photography / supplied
“I’ve been up since about three o’clock on Monday morning and I’m standing in the middle of my paddock in Middlemarch and watching the moon set, it’s very beautiful,” he told First Up.
“It’s been a fantastic eclipse, and what’s special about this is the moon is fading as the sun rises, so you’re getting these amazing colours – the blue sky and the red colour of the moon all over the hills.
The blood moon on 8 September, 2025.
Photo: Ali Richards / supplied
A full moon lunar eclipse also known as “Blood Moon” is seen over Islamabad, on 7 September, 2025.
Photo: AAMIR QURESHI / AFP
He explained the red hue was caused by the ring of sunsets around the world scattering light.
“During a lunar eclipse the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon and cuts off the sunlight to the moon,” he said.
“So if you were an astronaut on the moon right now you would be seeing all of the sunsets on Earth with this beautiful red ring around the Earth, and that’s why we’re seeing this red colour on the moon.”
The eclipse in September 2025.
Photo: @imagesbydavide / Davide Conti
The lunar eclipse.
Photo: Alex Hammond / supplied.
A total eclipse of the moon, as seen from Middlemarch, Otago.
Photo: Ian Griffin / supplied
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Photo: Tee Tee Cooper / supplied
The lunar eclipse / blood moon as seen from Tairua.
Photo: Sandra Morris / supplied
The view from Māori Hill, Dunedin.
Photo: David Bull
The eclipse seen from Paraparaumu Beach.
Photo: Varun Konikkara
The eclipse could be seen across other parts of the world.
Griffin said astronomy fans had more to look forward to this month.
“There’s another eclipse of the sun in a couple of weeks at sunrise on the 22nd of September, I’m very excited about that one because the sun will be rising half-eclipsed over the southern ocean, so that will be very exciting to watch,” he said.
The next blood moon will be visible from New Zealand late in the evening on 3 March, 2026.
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