Introduction: A cosmic astronomy class not to be missed

As the city lights come on, a mysterious "blood moon" will quietly appear in the Hong Kong sky on the night of September 7, 2025. This will not only be a magnificent astronomical spectacle, but also a real-time cosmic science lesson for families across Hong Kong. This total lunar eclipse is the perfect opportunity to encourage children to gaze at the stars and ignite their curiosity about science and the universe.

In line with Kidrise's mission to inspire children's STEM potential, this guide aims to transform this stargazing evening into a fun and informative parent-child exploration. We'll provide a complete plan from scratch, from explaining the principles of a lunar eclipse to choosing the best viewing location, all the way to capturing these precious memories with just a simple phone. Let you and your children fully enjoy this cosmic spectacle and create an unforgettable evening together.

Chapter 1: Hide and Seek with the Moon: Deconstructing a Total Lunar Eclipse

The best way to get children interested in astronomy is to translate complex scientific concepts into engaging stories they can understand. Parents can confidently explain the science behind a total lunar eclipse to their children using the following analogy.

The Cosmic Dance of the Sun, Earth, and Moon

The occurrence of a lunar eclipse is like the sun, earth, and moon playing a "line up" game in the universe. Parents can explain it to their children like this:

Imagine the Sun as an oversized lightbulb, the Earth as you, and the Moon as your child. If you (the Earth) were to step between the lightbulb (the Sun) and the child (the Moon), your body would block the light, casting a shadow on the child. A lunar eclipse is like this: when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and Moon, forming a straight line, the Earth's massive shadow obscures the sunlight that would otherwise illuminate the Moon, temporarily forcing it to "hide" in the Earth's shadow.

Earth's double shadow (umbra and penumbra)

The Earth's shadow isn't unique. Parents can try a little experiment with their children: Turn on a single light in a room and observe their own shadow on the ground. You'll notice that the shadow has a particularly dark, sharply defined core, surrounded by a lighter, more blurred circle.

The same is true for Earth's shadow in space, which is divided into two parts:

• Umbra: This is the darkest central part of Earth's shadow, just like the darkest core of your own shadow. When the Moon fully enters this region, the Sun's light is almost completely blocked by Earth, marking the beginning of a total lunar eclipse.
• Penumbra: This is the lighter outer portion of the shadow. When the Moon passes through this region, it receives only a slight decrease in sunlight, a subtle change in brightness that is barely noticeable to the naked eye.

During a lunar eclipse, the moon will first enter the light "penumbra" area, and then slowly slide into the dark "umbra" area, and the wonderful show will begin from here.

The magic of the "blood moon": Why does the moon turn red?

The most fascinating aspect of a total lunar eclipse is that the moon doesn't disappear completely, but instead turns a mysterious bronze or dark red, commonly known as a "blood moon." This isn't magic, but rather a fascinating scientific phenomenon. Parents can explain this with the following two metaphors:

• Projecting Global Sunrises and Sunsets: Ask your child, "What color is the sky at sunrise and sunset?" The answer is usually red or orange. You could explain that when the Moon hides in Earth's shadow, it's like seeing sunrises and sunsets everywhere on Earth from a unique perspective. Although sunlight is blocked by the Earth itself, it bypasses the Earth's edge and passes through its atmosphere. During this process, most of the blue light, due to its shorter wavelength, is scattered by the atmosphere (which is why our sky appears blue). However, the longer-wavelength red light is able to penetrate the atmosphere and is slightly refracted (bent) by the atmosphere, ultimately projecting onto the Moon's surface.
• Filters for Earth's atmosphere:

  Another metaphor is to imagine the Earth's atmosphere as a giant, colored cellophane or filter. When sunlight passes through this "filter," it filters out most of the other colors of light, allowing only red and orange light to pass through, and then "painting" these beautiful colors on the moon.

Through these lifelike metaphors, abstract optical principles become intuitive and easy to understand, allowing children to marvel at the beauty of the "blood moon" while also understanding the scientific mysteries behind it.

Chapter 2: Moon-chasing schedule and astronomical forecasts

Knowing the exact time and location is crucial to perfectly capturing this spectacular astronomical event. This detailed schedule will help your family plan every aspect of your observing experience and ensure you don't miss a single moment.

Total Lunar Eclipse in Five Steps

The entire observation process began late at night on September 7 (Sunday) and lasted until the early morning of September 8 (Monday). The following are the times and observation points for each key stage:

• Partial eclipse begins at 12:27 a.m. The moon begins to enter the Earth's umbra, and you'll see the first "gap" appear on the edge of the moon, like a small bite.
• Total eclipse begins at 1:30 a.m. The moon completely enters the Earth's umbra, marking the official start of the total lunar eclipse. The moon gradually turns a dark red, revealing the mystery of the "blood moon."
• Maximum eclipse: 2:12 a.m. This is the climax of the lunar eclipse, when the moon is closest to the center of Earth's umbra. In theory, this is when the moon's color is darkest and reddest.
• Total eclipse ends: 2:53 a.m. The moon begins to leave the Earth's umbra, and its edge will reappear dazzlingly bright, like a diamond inlaid on a dark red disk, which is very spectacular.
• Partial eclipse ends: 3:57 a.m. The moon completely leaves the Earth's umbra, and the partial eclipse phase ends, returning to the full moon phase.

Where is the Moon? A Complete Guide to Observing Directions

The observation conditions for this lunar eclipse are excellent because the moon is at a relatively high angle throughout the entire process, effectively avoiding obstruction by most buildings and trees.

• Azimuth Change: At the beginning of the lunar eclipse, the moon is in the south (about 184 degrees). As time passes, it will slowly move toward the southwest. At maximum eclipse, the moon will be in the southwest (about 227 degrees) until the end of the lunar eclipse.
• Simple guide: For beginners, simply find a spot with an unobstructed view facing south to southwest that night. Simply put, if you're near the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, facing south across Victoria Harbour is the direction south, and the moon will put on its full show in this part of the sky.

An important step: observing weather information

Ideally, clear weather is required for observation. Parents should closely monitor the Hong Kong Observatory's "Nine-Day Weather Forecast" and the "Astronomy Observation Weather Information" webpage for key information such as cloud cover and visibility a few days before the event.

Plan B: Official Live Stream

Even if the weather isn't favorable, don't despair. The Hong Kong Observatory, the Hong Kong Space Museum, and several other organizations will jointly broadcast the total lunar eclipse online, allowing citizens to enjoy it from the comfort of their homes. The livestream will begin on YouTube and other platforms before 11:26 PM on September 7th, with live commentary from experts, turning a cloudy day into a rich online astronomy lesson.

Chapter 3: A Guide to the Best Stargazing Spots in Hong Kong with Kids

Choosing a suitable location is key to successful stargazing. For families with children, besides the view and light pollution, transportation convenience, especially the return trip in the early morning, is a priority.

Golden rules for site selection

An ideal parent-child stargazing location should meet two major principles:

• Wide view: Make sure the sky facing south to southwest is not blocked by tall buildings or mountains.
• Stay away from light pollution: Try to choose a place away from the strong lights of the city so that you can better appreciate the dark red color of the "blood moon" and the surrounding stars.

Top recommendations (for advanced stargazers)

Suitable for families who seek the ultimate stargazing experience and are willing to make careful transportation plans.

• East Dam of High Island Reservoir, Sai Kung:
  • Advantages: As one of the places with the least light pollution in Hong Kong, it has a nearly perfect dark night sky and an invincible wide field of view, making it the first choice for astronomical photography enthusiasts.
  • Challenge: Transportation is the biggest challenge. Late at night, public transportation is completely suspended, and taxis are essential. And they must be booked in advance for the return trip, otherwise you'll likely be stranded.
  • Recommendation: Only suitable for families who have planned carefully and booked overnight transportation.
• Saigon Astronomical Park:
  • Advantages: Designed for stargazing, with complete facilities and open 24 hours a day.
  • Challenges: Located within a restricted area of ​​a country park, private cars require a permit. Public transportation requires first going to Pak Tam Chung and then taking a taxi. Hailing a taxi in Pak Tam Chung during the early hours of the morning is extremely challenging.
  • Suggestion: Similar to the situation in Dongba, the return trip is the biggest challenge.
• Southern Lantau Island (such as Pui O and Shui Hau):
  • Advantages: Very low light pollution, facing the southern sea, and excellent views.
  • Challenge: Be aware of late-night ferry and bus services. While there are overnight buses, they are infrequent, requiring precise time planning.
  • Recommendation: Suitable for families who are familiar with Lantau Island’s transportation and don’t mind long journeys late at night.

Easy Choice (Home Entry Level)

A good choice between quality stargazing and convenient transportation.

• Main Dam of Plover Cove Freshwater Reservoir in Tai Mei Tuk, Tai Po:
  • Advantages: The area is relatively accessible, with buses and minibuses available. The main dam has ample space, perfect for laying mats and is ideal for family activities.
  • Challenges: The western sky will be affected by light pollution from the Tolo Highway and the urban area, but the impact will be relatively small in the south to southwest where the lunar eclipse will occur.
  • Recommendation: A popular choice for family stargazing, it's convenient and comfortable. Be sure to check overnight transportation arrangements in advance.
• Clear Water Bay Tai Hang Tun Kite Field:
  • Advantages: There is parking, complete facilities, and a large lawn, making it an ideal choice for families with cars. There are good views to the east and south.
  • Challenges: If you take public transportation, it takes about 20-30 minutes to walk from Tai Au Mun Bus Station to get there. The road will be relatively dark when returning late at night.
  • Recommendation: Highly recommended for self-driving families.
• Shek O:
  • Pros: Low light pollution and relatively convenient transportation on Hong Kong Island. Accessible by bus or red minibus from Shau Kei Wan.
  • Challenge: Pay close attention to overnight bus or minibus schedules and service times.
  • Recommendation: The first choice for Hong Kong Island residents, as it allows them to enjoy relatively convenient transportation while being away from the city.

City Lights (Convenient Choice)

It is suitable for families who do not want to travel long distances and prioritize convenience.

• Tsim Sha Tsui or West Kowloon Promenade:
  • Advantages: Unparalleled transportation convenience and a wide southwest view facing Victoria Harbour.
  • Challenge: Light pollution is extremely severe. While the moon itself is bright enough to clearly see the entire lunar eclipse, the dark red color of the "blood moon" will be greatly diminished by city lights, and the surrounding stars will be almost invisible.
  • Recommendation: If you're looking for ultimate convenience, this is a good option, but have reasonable expectations about viewing quality.

Chapter 4: Review of Stargazing Equipment: From Naked Eyes to Telescopes

Having the right equipment can make your stargazing experience more comfortable and fulfilling. But remember, the most expensive isn't always the best; simple preparation can bring you great pleasure.

Our most powerful weapon: our eyes

First, parents and children should rest assured: viewing a total lunar eclipse requires absolutely no specialized equipment. The moon, one of the largest and brightest objects in the night sky, can be clearly observed with the naked eye as it transitions from full to crescent, from white to red, and then back to full again. This is a highly accessible and accessible astronomical event.

A great stargazing companion: Getting started with binoculars

If you want to take the experience to the next level, a pair of ordinary binoculars is a great tool to bring the Moon closer, revealing details that are difficult to see with the naked eye.

• How to choose: For home use, we recommend binoculars with a 7x50 or 8x42 size. The first number represents the magnification (7x or 8x), and the second number represents the objective lens diameter (50mm or 42mm). Binoculars in this range offer a good balance between magnification and image stability, making them easy to hand-hold even for older children.
• Viewing effect:

  Through binoculars, you'll be surprised to discover that the "blood moon" is not a single red color, but rather displays a rich variety of colors, ranging from orange to deep red. Large craters and "lunar seas" (dark plains on the moon) on the lunar surface will also become clearly visible, making observation even more interesting.

Parent-Child Stargazing Comfort Pack (Checklist)

A comfortable environment allows the whole family to enjoy stargazing more immersively. Here is a list of recommended equipment:

• Comforts: Picnic mat or folding chairs, warm clothing or blankets.
• Energy supply: hot drinks and snacks in thermos.
• Essential items: mosquito repellent, small first aid kit.
• Lighting tools: Flashlight covered with red cellophane.

Chapter 5: You can also take photos of the "blood moon" with your mobile phone! Parent-child astronomical photography class

Capturing this unforgettable night with photos is the most rewarding part of a family stargazing activity. You don't need a professional camera; a smartphone is enough to capture stunning photos of the lunar eclipse. This is more than just a record; it's also a fun STEM activity for parents and children.

Mobile Photography Magic

If you use your phone's automatic mode to shoot the moon, you'll usually just get an overexposed white dot. The key is to manually control the exposure.

iPhone User Guide (Video Mode Tips):

1. Switch modes: Open the camera and switch to "Video" mode. In the upper right corner, set the image quality to the highest setting, such as 4K 60fps.
2. Zoom as far as you can: Zoom in as much as you can and focus on the moon.
3. Lock the focus and adjust the exposure (the most crucial step): Tap the moon on the screen to focus. A yellow rectangle and a sun icon will appear. Press and hold the sun icon and slide downward to significantly reduce the exposure until the texture of the moon's surface (such as craters) is clearly visible.
4. Record and shoot at the same time: Press the record button, and then click the white shutter button in the lower right corner during recording to take a photo of the moon with perfect exposure.

Android User Guide (Professional Mode):

1. Activate Professional mode: Open the camera and switch to Professional or Manual mode.
2. Manually adjust parameters: Find and manually adjust the following two key settings:
   • ISO (sensitivity): Set it to the lowest value, such as 50 or 100, to reduce noise.
   • Shutter Speed: Try setting it between 1/125s and 1/500s, and adjust it flexibly until the details of the moon are clear.
3. Focus: Manually adjust the focus to infinity (usually an image of a mountain).

Tips for photographing a Blood Moon:

During a total lunar eclipse (from eclipse to totality), the moon's brightness will be significantly reduced. During this period, you'll need to increase your ISO (e.g., 400-800) and slow your shutter speed (e.g., 1/15 second or slower). Because of the slow shutter speed, handheld photography will be very blurry. Therefore, it's recommended to use a small phone tripod or stabilize your phone against something like a railing or a backpack.

Advanced Camera Settings (DSLR/Mirrorless Camera)

For parents who own professional cameras, you can try the following "starter recipe":

• Equipment: Telephoto lens (200mm or above), sturdy tripod.
• Mode: Manual mode (M).
• Settings (partial eclipse phase): aperture f/8 - f/16, ISO 100-400, shutter speed 1/125s - 1/500s.
• Settings (total eclipse phase): Keep the aperture unchanged, increase the ISO to 800-1600, and slow down the shutter speed to 1-4 seconds.

Creative Composition: Capturing Our Family's Lunar Eclipse Story

A good lunar eclipse photo is more than just a close-up of a celestial body; it should tell a story. Encourage children to participate in the composition and be creative:

• Silhouette photo: Take a wide-angle photo to capture the silhouettes of your family and the red moon in the sky.
• Landscape Integration: Use unique landmarks from your observing location (e.g., a pavilion, a tower on a dam) as a foreground to highlight the lunar eclipse.
• Process record: Take a photo every 15-20 minutes, and finally combine them to make a continuous image showing the complete process of the lunar eclipse.

Chapter 6: More than just stargazing: Becoming a little astronomer

Kidrise encourages children to transform every observation into a profound learning experience. Through pre- and post-observation activities, the impact of this total lunar eclipse can be expanded from just one night to a lasting seed of science in their hearts.

Pre-observation warm-up: Simulating a lunar eclipse at home

Before the stargazing night arrives, you might as well conduct a simple and interesting lunar eclipse simulation experiment with your children at home, which will give them a more concrete understanding of the upcoming astronomical phenomenon.

• Materials needed: a high-intensity flashlight (representing the sun), a large ball (representing the earth), and a small ball (representing the moon).
• Activity steps: Turn off all the lights in the room. One family member holds a flashlight, another holds a large ball in the center of the room, and a third holds a small ball. They slowly orbit the "Earth." When the "Moon" moves behind the "Earth," completely entering the Earth's shadow, the flashlight's light can no longer illuminate it—this is a lunar eclipse!

Lunar Eclipse Underway: Create Your Observing Diary

The core of scientific observation lies in recording. Prepare a "Lunar Eclipse Observation Diary" for your child and encourage them to record what they see and hear, just like a true astronomer.

The downloadable Young Astronomer Observation Journal template should contain the following sections:

• Time record: record the time of each important observation moment.
• Moon Phase Sketch: Draw the appearance of the moon at different times in the preset circle.
• Color record: During the total eclipse phase, provide a color palette area for children to use colored pencils to color the true color of the "blood moon" in their eyes.
• Brightness rating (simplified Danjon scale): Have them rate the blood moon they see (4: very bright, 3: brick red, 2: deep red, 1: very dim).
• Mood Notes: Leave space for children to write or draw their feelings and discoveries.

Chapter 7: Becoming a Guardian of the Starry Sky: Stargazing Etiquette and Safety Tips

While we enjoy the wonders of the universe, we should also be responsible guardians of the starry sky. Teaching children to observe stargazing etiquette and safety rules is a key lesson in respect and public morality in this astronomy class.

Safety first

In dark outdoor environments, safety always comes first.

• Travel with a companion: Never leave your child alone and always keep them within sight.
• Familiarize yourself with the environment: If conditions permit, visit the observation site during the day to familiarize yourself with the terrain and avoid potential dangers.
• Dress carefully: Wear closed-toe sneakers and long pants to prevent falls and insect bites.

Stargazing Etiquette Class

A good stargazer knows how to share this beautiful starry sky with others. Please observe the following etiquette with your children:

• Using red light:

  This is the most important etiquette for stargazing. Our eyes need about 20-30 minutes to fully adapt to the darkness, and a sudden burst of white light can instantly destroy this "night vision ability." Red light has the least effect on the human eye's night vision.

• DIY red flashlight: Use a piece of red cellophane or a red plastic bag and wrap it with a rubber band around the head of an ordinary flashlight to easily make a flashlight specifically for stargazing.
• Flash photography is strictly prohibited: Flash photography is not necessary for photographing the stars or the moon. Using a flash in the dark is not only disturbing to others but also extremely impolite.
• Be careful with other people's equipment: At stargazing locations, there may be many amateur astronomers setting up cameras and telescopes. Teach your children to walk slowly in the dark and be careful not to bump into other people's tripods.
• Keep quiet: The starry sky is tranquil. Please lower your voices and avoid making noise so that everyone can immerse themselves in the magnificence of the universe.

Leave No Trace: Protecting our stargazing environment

We are visitors to nature and should leave no trace.

• Take your own trash with you: Please prepare garbage bags and take away all waste, including food packaging, paper towels, etc., to keep the observation site clean.
• Protect the environment: Do not light a fire at the observation site, as the light and hot air will seriously interfere with observation and photography.

Conclusion: An unforgettable night sharing the wonders of the universe

From simulating a lunar eclipse at home with a small ball to standing beneath the starry sky and witnessing the moon's transformation from bright white to crimson, this will be more than just an observation session; it will be a complete journey of exploration for all children. The total lunar eclipse on September 7, 2025, offers an unparalleled opportunity to temporarily step away from daily routines and experience the vastness and laws of the universe with your family.

This astronomical spectacle offers far more than just visual excitement. It's an opportunity for families to connect, a catalyst to ignite a child's scientific passion, and a warm memory created together as Earth's shadow passes across the moon. When the moon returns to full and the morning light begins to appear, what remains in children's hearts will be boundless imagination of the vast universe and an enduring passion for scientific exploration.

We encourage all families to share your observing stories, your children’s observing diaries and photos on social media and tag Kidrise. Let us gather the power of Hong Kong’s young astronomers and witness this unforgettable night together.