Kenya Space Agency shares must-know facts ahead of Sunday's lunar eclipse

During the eclipse, the full moon moves into the shadow of the Earth cast by the sun, and is momentarily darkened. (Photo: Shuttertock via The Conversation)

By Mary Wambui
Thursday, September 4, 2025

Last year, Nairobi experienced a partial Lunar Eclipse in the early morning hours of September 18 that lasted about two hours and 49 minutes.

Scientists and space enthusiasts in the country are counting down the days to this year's total Lunar Eclipse, which will occur on Sunday evening in seven spectacular stages lasting till midnight.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is positioned precisely between the Moon and the Sun. The Earth's shadow falls upon the surface of the Moon, dimming it, and sometimes turning the lunar surface a striking red over the course of a few hours. Each lunar eclipse is visible from half of the Earth.

This year, the annual phenomenon will be fully visible anywhere in the country, as in other parts of the continent, Asia, and Australia. People in Eastern Europe will only view it partly, while those in North and South America will miss out, as they will be below the moon's horizon.

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The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has reminded Kenyans that, unlike solar eclipses, no special glasses or filters will be required to watch the lunar eclipse.

"It is completely safe to view with the naked eye. For a closer and more detailed view of the red Moon, binoculars or a telescope can be used, but they are not necessary to enjoy the event," the Agency said on Thursday.

It shared the expected time for the eclipse to begin as follows: penumbral phase (18:28), partial eclipse begins (19:27), total eclipse begins (20:31), maximum eclipse (21:12), total eclipse ends (21:53), partial eclipse ends (22:53) and penumbral phase ends (23:55).

This is what to expect during the seven phases: During the Penumbral Eclipse phase, a dimmer switch is turned ever so slightly as the Moon enters Earth's penumbra, the outer fringe of its shadow.

"This stage causes a subtle shading that's easy to miss, as if a light cloud is passing across the Moon," said the Agency.

In the second, partial Eclipse stage, the true shadow, the umbra, begins to take a "bite" out of the Moon.

KSA said it's similar to watching a slow curtain being drawn across a glowing lamp. Here, the Moon appears to darken progressively from one side.

At the total Eclipse phase, the entire Moon slips into Earth's umbra, the bright light vanishes, and the Moon begins to glow with a deep red or coppery colour (red moon).

"It's as if the curtain has fully closed, but the room is still dimly lit by candlelight filtering in through red curtains, soft, warm, and mysterious," added KSA.

Lastly, in the maximum Eclipse phase, the peak of the performance, the Moon will sit completely in the darkest part of Earth's shadow.

"Depending on atmospheric conditions, it may glow a vivid red, a dusky orange, or even a brownish grey. This is the most dramatic and visually stunning moment," noted KSA.

During the final phase, where the total Eclipse Ends, the curtain begins to open again; light starts to return as the Moon moves out of the umbra.

"The red glow fades, replaced by silver light creeping back from one edge."

During the sixth stage, the partial Eclipse Ends as the last of the umbra slips away. Here, the Moon is now mostly bright again, with just a final shadow fading from view.

Finally, at the final stage, the penumbral phase, the Moon exits the outer shadow.

"Any remaining dimness disappears, and the Moon resumes its full brilliance in the sky, like stage lights rising at the end of a show. Each of these stages unfolds slowly, often over the course of several hours, offering observers a dynamic and awe-inspiring show. Whether witnessed with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope, a total lunar eclipse is one of the most accessible and stunning events in the night sky," KSA explained.

It highlighted that, beyond its magnificent beauty, the Lunar eclipse helps scientists learn more about the Earth, the Moon, and how they move in space.

"When the Moon passes through Earth's shadow, sunlight bends through our atmosphere and gives the Moon a reddish glow. By studying this light, scientists can find out what's in the atmosphere, like dust and pollution, and even learn about climate patterns. The soft red light also helps reveal details on the Moon's surface that are hard to see in normal sunlight. Over time, measuring the timing and path of eclipses has helped scientists better understand the Moon's orbit, its distance from Earth, and how gravity affects both bodies," said KSA.

The Agency added that in ancient times, people used eclipses to track time and predict future events. "The Saros cycle, a pattern of repeating eclipses, was discovered this way and is still used today. So, while a lunar eclipse is a stunning sight, it's also a valuable tool for science."

Last year, Nairobi experienced a partial Lunar Eclipse in the early morning hours of September 18 that lasted about two hours and 49 minutes.