Early risers in the UK will witness a partial lunar eclipse this Friday, just before dawn. This is a wonderful chance to see the Moon transform as Earth casts its shadow on it. While it won’t be a total eclipse here, it promises to be a spectacular sight, weather permitting.
As the eclipse unfolds, you’ll notice the Moon gradually dimming before it takes on a dusky red hue, often called a “blood moon.” This will be a captivating scene, reminiscent of the last total lunar eclipse in the UK in 2022.
So when can you catch this lunar event? The action begins at 03:57 AM GMT when the Moon first dips into Earth’s outer shadow. The main part of the eclipse starts at 05:09 AM when the Moon enters the darker shadow. The peak of the eclipse occurs at 06:58 AM, but sadly, in the UK, the Moon will have already set by then. For those located in North America and some regions in South America, they’ll get to see a complete eclipse.
Imo Bell, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, encourages people to wake up early to catch the eclipse. “Seeing it in real life is really cool,” she says.
Now, let’s talk briefly about what a lunar eclipse is. It happens when Earth stands between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight. There are three types of lunar eclipses:
- Total lunar eclipse: The entire Moon moves into Earth’s shadow and appears red.
- Partial lunar eclipse: Only a part of the Moon enters the shadow, showing a dark section.
- Penumbral lunar eclipse: The Moon passes through the outer shadow, causing a slight dimming.
The term “blood moon” comes from the reddish glow the Moon gets during a total eclipse. This happens because sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere filters out shorter blue wavelengths, allowing the longer red wavelengths to shine through.
For the best view of the eclipse, find a dark and clear place with a good line of sight to the western horizon where the Moon will set. Bring a flashlight, preferably a red one, to help your eyes adjust to the darkness. And don’t forget to check the weather beforehand! Although lunar eclipses are not rare, cloud cover could hide the next one. The next chance to see a lunar eclipse in the UK will be on September 7, 2025.
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