Earth scientists in the country have dismissed assertions of ‘end of the world’ on 7 September 2025 by doomsayers, pointing out that Malawi will just experience a total lunar eclipse lasting three hours and 30 minutes.
Agnes Hamisi, a lecturer in Earth Sciences Department at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), explained that such an eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon.
She said since way back, eclipses have been surrounded by myths, superstitions and fears. Some cultures saw them as omens of disaster while modern social media sometimes propagate ‘end of the world’ claims.
“Eclipses are completely natural and occur because of the regular motions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. There is no scientific evidence linking eclipses to disasters, doomsday, or bad luck,” Hamisi said.
The Earth Scientist said this phenomenon follows predictable cycles called Saros Cycles, repeating roughly every 18 years and Astronomers can calculate eclipse dates hundreds of years in advance.
“This is what people often call a ‘Blood Moon’, because the Moon can appear red or orange when fully in Earth’s shadow,” she said.
According to Hamisi, the Penumbral eclipse will begin at 17:28, Partial eclipse (umbra contact) at 18:27, Total eclipse will be start on 19:31, Maximum eclipse at 20:12, Total eclipse will end at 20:53, Partial eclipse will then end at 21:56 and the Penumbral eclipse will end at 22:55.
University of Malawi’s lecturer in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Fr. Limbani Jeromy Juttah, stressed the need to guard against unwarranted extreme speculations that have no basis such as the doomsday.
“While speculations may abound, this event is an event in God’s Creation. As such it can be used to trigger worship and reverence, or mark times and seasons,” Juttah said.
Nonetheless, he said in Christianity, such phenomenons are indeed seen as a sign of the ‘End Times’ and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
“It is on Joel 2:31, Matthew 24:29 and Revelation 6:12. In Islam, there is a Sunnah. The prayer is accompanied by a sermon and worshipers are encouraged to pray, remember God’s greatness, give charity, and seek forgiveness. In Jewish tradition its is considered as a bad omen for the world, because it reflects a dimming of divine light for humanity,” he said
What Should People in Malawi Do?
“No special protection is needed – you can safely look at a lunar eclipse with the naked eye. Best viewing time – around 18:30–19:00 CAT, when the Moon is rising in the east and entering Earth’s shadow. Equipment use binoculars or a small telescope will enhance detail, but they are not required,” Hamisi said.
On 21 September, other parts of the globe shall experience a partial solar eclipse, but it will not be visible from Malawi as the next one in the country will be on February 17, 2026 – Partial solar eclipse and August 2, 2027 – Partial solar eclipse.
Historical records of eclipses in Malawi show that people observed a total lunar eclipse on June 15, 2011, and a penumbral lunar eclipse occurred on January 8, 1955, according to sources like Never Ending Food and theskylive.com.
