[ $Y_2O_3:Eu$ ] powder was synthesized using a solution-combustion method by dissolving $(CH_3CO_2)_3Y$ and $(CH_3CO_2)_3$ Eu in methyl-alcohol solution. Results from X-ray diffractometery (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG)-differential thermal analysis (DTA) show that $Y_2O_3:Eu$ crystallizes completely when the dry powder is sintered at $500^{circ}C$. The investigated optical properties were the photoluminescence emission spectra, the excitation spectra and luminescence decay curve. Europium (Eu) concentration had no observable effect on the optical spectrum which depended on the emission intensity. The mean lifetime of synthesized phosphors was $2.3~2.6 ms$.