Blood moon over Ladysmith in pictures

It was near-perfect conditions to photograph the blood moon.

September 9, 2025

Rod Skinner 1 minute read

The blood moon in all its glory. (Photo taken by Rod Skinner)

A full lunar eclipse took place on Sunday evening (September 7) above the southern hemisphere, with Ladysmith skies providing a near-perfect vantage point to witness the planetary phenomenon, better known as a ‘blood moon’. A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves behind the earth, falling into the earth’s shadow, causing the moon to not just be darkened but also turn red as the sun’s rays are bent by the earth’s atmosphere.

The start of the lunar eclipse on Sunday – Rod Skinner

The moon starts to move into the earth’s shadow – Rod Skinner

The lunar eclipse progressing almost halfway – Rod Skinner

The earth’s shadow is past halfway – Rod Skinner

The blood moon in all its glory – Rod Skinner

Such an alignment occurs during an eclipse season (approximately every six months) during the full moon phase, when the moon’s orbital plane is closest to the plane of the earth’s orbit.

Worldwide, photographers armed with everything from iPhones to multi-million rand camera equipment attempted to capture the phenomenon.

Ladysmith Gazette editor Rod Skinner joined the moon-capture frenzy and we can now proudly display his humble work.