In early September 2025, astronomy enthusiasts in the Eastern Hemisphere witnessed a total lunar eclipse as the Earth obstructed sunlight from reaching the moon. The captivating event occurred on the evening of September 7, turning the moon into the striking “blood moon” for a brief period. Interestingly, satellites orbiting the Earth experienced a very different phenomenon.
Two weather satellites launched by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) 18 and 19—captured not one, but two eclipses on the same evening. These satellites are integral to NOAA’s mission to monitor terrestrial and space weather, providing high-resolution observations of environmental changes.
GOES-18 is stationed above the western contiguous United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as parts of Mexico and Central America. In contrast, GOES-19 covers an extensive area, observing North America, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean extending to the west coast of Africa. Their unique positions enabled them to observe both a solar eclipse and the subsequent lunar eclipse just hours apart.
During the solar eclipse, which occurred from 04:40 to 05:28 EDT (08:40 to 09:28 GMT) for GOES-18, and from 00:34 to 01:22 EDT (04:34 to 05:22 GMT) for GOES-19, these satellites provided stunning high-resolution images of the sun before the moon temporarily blocked its view. Videos detailing this solar eclipse are available on the CIMSS Satellite Blog.
Later that day, at 13:30 EDT (17:30 GMT), the lunar eclipse took place, offering a remarkable contrast to the earlier event witnessed by the satellites. While people on Earth observed the moon shrouded in shadow, the satellites recorded the blocking of sunlight by the moon, illustrating the intricate dance of celestial bodies.
Experiencing two eclipses within a single day is a rare occurrence, emphasizing the remarkable and sometimes surprising nature of our universe. This event serves as a reminder of the wonders that continue to unfold in the cosmos.
For more detailed information about the GOES satellites and the recent lunar eclipse, further resources are available through NOAA and related astronomical organizations.
