Lunar Eclipse above the Lulatsch

Chemnitz Under the Blood Moon

On September 7th, 2025, the skies over Chemnitz delivered an unforgettable astronomical spectacle: a total lunar eclipse, casting the city under the shadow of the Earth and painting the moon in dramatic hues of deep red. As millions across Europe turned their gaze skyward, my camera sought a unique vantage — a composition that would celebrate both cosmic beauty and the character of my hometown. In the foreground stood the “Lulatsch”, Chemnitz’s beloved landmark, towering 302 meters high and bathed in its vibrant nighttime illumination.

Capturing the Eclipse: Art Meets Industry

The “Lulatsch” — or, more formally, the Bunte Esse — is a striking chimney transformed into public art, its exterior a brilliant canvas of color thanks to international artist Daniel Buren’s design and a network of 168 LEDs. Visible from nearly every corner of Chemnitz, it is, by day, an industrial monument, and by night, a luminous symbol of urban creativity. For this photograph, I framed the rising blood moon above the vivid vertical stripes of the chimney, highlighting the union of celestial grandeur and human expression. The stages shown above were taken from 8:43pm to 9:22pm, when the shadow already started to vanish again.

This eclipse was particularly remarkable: as the moon slid into Earth’s shadow, it darkened dramatically and took on its characteristic copper-red tint — the “blood moon.” The timing did not favor my location, the eclipse already reached totality when sun finally set and the moon leaped over the horizon. Over a span of nearly two hours then, the transformation was complete — a dance of light and shadow experienced by millions worldwide, but here in Chemnitz, the familiar silhouette of the “Lulatsch” gave the event a distinct local flavor.

The Story Behind the Shot

While images of lunar eclipses are abundant, combining a cosmic moment with a local icon renders the event unique. The Lulatsch, gleaming in its stripes, mirrored the planetary palette above — proof that our industrial landmarks can participate in the poetry of the cosmos. The photo is both a record of a rare eclipse and a celebration of Chemnitz’s creative energy. For me, it’s a reminder that art, science, and local spirit can coexist in every night sky photograph.

Every lunar eclipse is a cosmic reminder of our place in the universe; every landmark, like Chemnitz’s Lulatsch, is a celebration of local pride. Together, they forge an intersection where art and science illuminate each other — if only for one magical night.