Sunday’s blood moon was magical; these perfect shots prove it.
South Africa (08 September 2025) – Eyes were firmly planted in the sky across South Africa on Sunday evening, when we were treated to mind-boggling views of the total lunar eclipse, also known as the ‘blood moon’.
This astronomical event happens when Earth moves directly between the sun and the full moon.
The science behind it is easy enough to understand. When Earth blocks direct sunlight during a total lunar eclipse, some sunlight still passes through our atmosphere. The atmosphere scatters shorter wavelengths of light (blue and violet) more strongly, while longer wavelengths (red and orange) bend through and reach the Moon.
That’s why the eclipsed moon looks red or coppery. It’s the same process that makes our sunsets appear red.
For South Africa specifically, the Spring moon saw a partial shadow (penumbral) start at around 6:28 pm. The lunar eclipse peaked between 7:30 pm and 8:52 pm, and by 9:55 pm, the moon had gotten its full glow back.
It was the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022, and it was visible right across South Africa. Across the world, nearly 6 billion people saw it too, from Australia to Japan and then across Africa and into Europe.
For some photographers, careful planning went into creating the perfect shot of the blood moon over some of South Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
Here are some of the most dazzling shots we’ve spotted so far:
The Spring moon rising over a Western Cape windmill captured by JCB Nature Photography.
The moon rising between the Hillbrow and Brixton Towers, from the Cecil Payne Stadium in Roodepoort, taken by Andrew Cleland Photography.
The blood moon glowing over a soft, beachy landscape at Umhlanga Rocks, captured by Christo Smith Photography.
The Hillbrow Tower points upwards at the total lunar eclipse, photographed by Andrew Cleland Photography
Cape Town’s Kalk Bay Harbour sees the start of the blood moon against a blue and purple sky, snapped by Jon Kerrin.
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A stunning red moon captured by Lafras Smit in Heibron, Free State.
Kyle Goetsch Photography’s image blends different phases of the eclipse into one frame, hanging over the Western Cape’s iconic canola fields.
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The blood moon shrouded in clouds, as seen from The Mill Junction in Newtown, captured by Alexius 68 Lightning Photography.
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Sources: Linked above
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