Italian Skywatchers Anticipate ‘Blood Moon’ Total Lunar Eclipse Event

Rome: Italian eyes will be on the sky on Sunday evening for a total lunar eclipse, also known as the ‘Blood Moon’ due to the characteristic reddish color our satellite will take on as it passes through the Earth’s shadow. The celestial phenomenon will be clearly visible from all over Italy, thanks in part to the mostly cloudless sky.

According to Ansa News Agency, the spectacle will begin in the late afternoon: the penumbral phase will begin around 5:30 PM, while the partial eclipse will begin an hour later. Around 7:30 PM, totality will enter its peak, and for about an hour the Moon will glow a deep red, creating a unique spectacle. The most evocative moment will occur around 8:10 PM, with the Moon high in the sky and completely obscured. The eclipse will gradually end by 11:00 PM, when our satellite will finally exit the Earth’s shadow.

The eclipse on September 7th will occur just three days before our natural satellite’s perigee, the point in its orbit when the Moon is closest to Earth. This makes the spectacle even more exciting: the Moon will appear slightly larger than usual. The eclipse will also be broadcast live on EduInaf’s YouTube and Facebook channels starting at 7:15 PM.

The National Institute for Astrophysics’ telescopes in Rome and Palermo will be trained on the Moon and will transmit images in real time, accompanied by commentary from astronomers Giangiacomo Gandolfi and Marco Castellani. It will be an opportunity not only to observe the eclipse, but also to learn more about the Moon: its role in our culture, the scientific curiosities, and the astronomical dynamics that make these spectacles possible.

The live broadcast won’t be limited to Italy: thanks to our partnership with Time and Date, you can also watch images of the eclipse from other parts of the world, allowing you to experience an event that will captivate millions of people.