KBRN, Meulaboh: A total lunar eclipse, popularly known as the “Blood Moon,” lit up the night sky over Meulaboh City in West Aceh Regency on Sunday, September 7, 2025. The celestial event lasted until 1:55 a.m. local time, drawing the attention of residents who captured the moment on their smartphones.

Although the sky appeared overcast at first, with dark clouds and only a faint orange glow visible, the half-moon gradually emerged, revealing the eclipse in progress.

“I looked up and wondered why the moon was orange, then I remembered there was an eclipse tonight. BMKG had sent out a notification,” said Yusna, a resident of the Blang Beurandang housing complex.

As of 1:50 a.m., the eclipse remained visible. The call to prayer (adhan) echoed softly from several mosques, inviting Muslims to perform the Khusuf prayer, a special prayer observed during lunar eclipses in Islamic tradition as a reflection of divine awe.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had earlier announced that parts of Indonesia, particularly those within Western Indonesian Time (WIB), would witness the total lunar eclipse.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon align perfectly, causing the moon to pass entirely into Earth’s umbra, or inner shadow. The phenomenon can last for several hours, with visibility varying across Indonesia’s time zones.

At its peak, the moon takes on a deep red hue due to Rayleigh scattering, a process in which Earth’s atmosphere filters out blue light and allows red wavelengths to reach the lunar surface, creating the dramatic “Blood Moon” effect. ***

Translator: Misni Parjiati

Editor: Lasti Martina