Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Oscar Dayus & David Flett

Don't miss the start of the longest lunar eclipse since 1440

It won't be a case of blink and you'll miss it tomorrow morning as the longest lunar eclipse since February 1440 takes place.

The eclipse will begin at 7.19am, peak at around 9am and end at 10.47am. However, daybreak shortly after the eclipse begins means viewers in the UK will miss its peak at 9.02am. And for anybody planning a long lunchtime lie-in, you'll have to wait until February 2669 until the next longest eclipse.

November's full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, will also occur at 8.57am, according to the Royal Observatory.

The moon is named after the large rodent because it coincides with the time of year when native American tribes traditionally set out their beaver traps.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon lies directly in the Earth's shadow from the sun.

These events are also called blood moons, as the moon often turns a deep orangey-red colour.

This is because the only light reaching the moon at this time is light that has passed through the Earth's atmosphere.

Red light's longer wavelength means it can pass through the Earth's atmosphere more easily, hence the red colouring on the moon's surface.

This eclipse will be a partial eclipse, with 97.4% of the moon's diameter falling within the Earth's shadow. The next full eclipse is set to fall in May 2022.

For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.