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Stargazers across much of the United Kingdom are anticipating a captivating celestial event on Sunday evening, as a total lunar eclipse is set to transform the full Moon into a vivid red spectacle.
During the eclipse, as the Moon traverses through Earth’s shadow, it will adopt a deep reddish hue, resulting in a stunning “Blood Moon.”
While the full eclipse is slated to begin at 18:30 and continue until 19:52, visibility for UK residents will depend on the time of moonrise, which varies by location.
The easternmost regions of the UK will enjoy the longest viewing period, with moonrise in Norwich occurring at 19:25. In contrast, western areas such as Wales and Cornwall will have only a minute or two to observe the phenomenon. Observers in Northern Ireland and western Scotland may witness a partial eclipse, with some of Earth’s shadow visible on the Moon.
While most of the Americas will miss this event, those in eastern Africa, the Middle East, much of Asia, and western Australia are favorably positioned to witness the entirety of the eclipse from start to finish.
Check here for Moonrise time in your part of the UK or in the rest of the world.
Dr. Edward Bloomer, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, noted, “In the UK, we won’t be able to see the most dramatic reddening that occurs with lunar eclipses… and most people will need to wait an additional 10 to 20 minutes after moonrise for it to clear the horizon.”
“However, it’s worth observing because you get to witness the mechanics of the solar system in action,” he added. “This isn’t a special effect. There’s nothing else it could be – this must be what’s happening in real life in front of you.”
The last total lunar eclipse visible from the UK took place in 2022.
A lunar eclipse transpires when Earth positions itself directly between the Sun and the Moon, thereby obstructing sunlight and casting a shadow onto the lunar surface.
During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon is entirely immersed in Earth’s shadow, frequently acquiring a distinctive red coloration.
Preceding and following totality, the Moon undergoes two additional phases:
Penumbral lunar eclipse – A subtle phenomenon in which the Moon passes through the outer region of Earth’s shadow, resulting in a slight dimming effect.
Partial lunar eclipse – Occurs when only a segment of the Moon enters Earth’s shadow, creating a clearly visible dark area.
The entire cycle on Sunday commences at 16:28 with the onset of the penumbral eclipse and concludes at 21:55 with the end of the post-totality penumbral eclipse. The eclipse reaches its maximum point at 19:11.
Lunar eclipses are often referred to as “Blood Moons” due to the Moon’s reddish tint during the event.
“Historically, people regarded it as an ominous sign. But in reality, it’s simply the refraction of light through Earth’s atmosphere – the same mechanism that produces red sunsets,” Dr. Bloomer explained.
This reddish hue stems from a phenomenon known as “Rayleigh scattering,” which is also responsible for the blue color of the sky and the red hues of sunsets. It preferentially scatters shorter blue wavelengths of light, leaving the longer red wavelengths more visible.
During a lunar eclipse, the light that illuminates the Moon has already passed through Earth’s atmosphere.
It is as if every sunrise and sunset on Earth is being projected onto the lunar surface.
To optimize your viewing experience, choose a location with a clear horizon view ahead of moonrise to catch the Moon as it emerges. In urban areas, elevated positions like hills or popular viewpoints are ideal.
Binoculars or a telescope can enhance the view. Unlike solar eclipses, which require eye protection, lunar eclipses are safe to observe directly, as the Moon’s reflected light is not intense enough to cause eye damage.
Cloud cover can affect visibility, so it’s advisable to check your local weather forecast beforehand.
The subsequent lunar eclipse visible from the UK will occur on August 28, 2026. Mark your calendars for another opportunity to witness this celestial marvel.
If you have been anxiously checking the forecast over the last few days in the hope of a glimpse you’ll have noticed that it has improved significantly.
For a while it looked as if the eclipse would be veiled by cloud and rain across the UK but now it’s likely that many of us will have clear skies.
On Sunday morning, as high pressure pulls eastwards, weather fronts will move in from the Atlantic bringing cloud and showery rain.
However, these fronts will fragment and most of the showers will be in the North West.
Away from western coasts, by the late afternoon and early evening there is a good chance many of us will have clear skies in time for the eclipse.
There could still be some showers however, and uncertainty remains so keep an eye on the forecast.
Additional reporting by Elizabeth Rizzini, BBC Weather Presenter
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