It’s turning out to be a big few weeks for stargazing in the UK. The other week we saw the astonishing planetary parade, while March will bring a new wave of heightened aurora activity (with a huge northern lights show last week), and a rare lunar eclipse to our night skies.
And that lunar eclipse is fast approaching. The eclipse, which will create a stunning bright red blood moon, is set to take place this very week, on the night on March 13-14 (in the early hours of the latter, to be precise). The last lunar eclipse was in 2022, so this is a pretty unusual opportunity. Want to spot the phenomenon? Here’s everything you need to know and the lunar eclipse in the UK.
When is the lunar eclipse?
The eclipse will take place in the early hours of Friday, March 14, as the Moon will travel through the Earth’s shadow, resulting in a total lunar eclipse for many around the world.
Much like the solar eclipse last year, however, the UK is only getting a partial lunar eclipse next week – more on where is getting a full eclipse below.
The exact time to see the lunar eclipse in the UK
You’ll need to set your alarms. A partial lunar eclipse is expected to be visible from the UK on March 14 at 3.57am, with the maximum of the eclipse at 6.19am.
What is a lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the Moon and the Sun, with the Earth thereby casting a shadow on the Moon.
What is a blood moon?
People sometimes refer to a lunar eclipse as a blood moon because of the way the moon can turn a deep, coppery red colour during its eclipse.
The red colour is thought to be caused by ‘Rayleigh’ scattering of sunlight through the Earth’s atmosphere, which blocks out blue light waves but allows the longer wave lengths of red light to still come through. This is the same effect that causes sunsets to appear red.
Where will there be a full lunar eclipse?
The full lunar eclipse will be visible in North and South America. In east Asia and Australia moon-gazers might catch parts of the moonrise, and in western Europe, people might be able to see parts of the moonset. Find a list of the best places in the world to see the full lunar eclipse here.
More stargazing: How to see the northern lights in the UK.
Plus: These are the best places to go stargazing in the UK.
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