A rare sight awaits Heaven friends on Sunday, September 7, 2025: The September Folle Moon not only falls into the time of the traditional “autumn moon”-it also appears as a dark red “blood moon”.
The reason is a total lunar eclipse that is at least partially visible from Germany. But the spectacle demands good preparation and the right location.
A short but spectacular appearance
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The moon is already fully darkened in Central Europe. In Munich he shows himself around 7:39 p.m. CEST, in Frankfurt at 7:53 p.m. – he is still deep in the shadow of earth.
At 8:11 p.m. the maximum gloss is reached before it slowly becomes brighter again from 8:52 p.m. If you want to experience the totality, you have to have a clear view of the Eastern horizon and should not be fooled by the still light twilight colors in the sky.
There is not much time anyway: the phase of total eclipse ends until 8:53 p.m.
September 7th, 2025 schedule on September 7, 2025:
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6:27 p.m.: Start of partial darkness (not visible in Germany)
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7:30 p.m.: Start of the total lunar eclipse (not visible in Germany)
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8:11 p.m.: Maximum darkening (visible in Germany)
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8:52 p.m.: End of the total lunar eclipse (visible in Germany)
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9:56 p.m.: End of the partial darkness (visible)
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10:55 p.m.: End of the partial shadow eclipse (visible)
Binoculars instead of telescope
It is worthwhile for observers to have binoculars. The compact device can be easily taken to a hill or on a window with an Ostblick. In contrast, a telescope hardly brings any advantages in the low horizont height – the contrast is too weak.
With both eyes, binoculars reinforce the reddish -shimmering earth drabant in the horizon haze and makes the fine grades better visible.
If you want to photograph the acting, you should use a stable tripod and a strong telephoto lens and manually adapt the camera to the changing lighting conditions.
Between tradition and science
The September Folle Moon bears many names: in German one speaks of the “autumn moon”, internationally often of the “Harvest Moon” (harvest moon). But strictly speaking, this refers to the full moon, which is closest to the autumn equinocium-in 2025 the October moon.
Historically, the harvest moon was important for farmers: its light extended working hours in the fields.
Myths also rose around the lunar eclipse: in China it was considered the attack of a dragon, at the Inka as a divine anger.
Modern science rather examines the effects on humans: according to studies, the full moon shortens the sleeping time by up to 20 minutes and reduces the deep sleep phases.
Rare chance in Europe
After September 2025, sky fans in Central Europe must be patient: the next total lunar eclipse visible from here will only occur on December 31, 2028.
Before that, on March 6, 2026, there is another total lunar eclipse – but it is invisible in Europe.
The total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026: From Spain and Iceland, the spectacle can be completely observed, in Germany as an impressive partial darkness with up to 92 percent coverage.
