The first total lunar eclipse in three years will be visible in UK skies this weekend, but only if you’re lucky enough to have a cloudless evening.
The rare astronomical event, which sees the Earth perfectly positioned between the sun and the moon, turns the moon a blood red colour — hence why it’s often referred to as a blood moon.
As we’ve not had a full lunar eclipse since 2022, this weekend brings an exciting time for night sky lovers eager to catch a glimpse of this unique event across the eastern hemisphere.
Luckily, it’s also set to take place at quite an early point in the evening, meaning you also don’t have to wake up in the early hours of the morning to see it.
So what exactly is a total lunar eclipse, and when is the best time to see it in the UK?
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow onto the lunar surface.
When the sun is blocked out, the moon glows a dark red instead of the pale yellow we’re typically used to seeing in the night sky.
There have been instances of recent partial eclipses, but we haven’t had a total lunar eclipse in three years, so it’s an exciting weekend.
It’s also expected to last around 82 minutes, meaning it’s among the longest lunar eclipses we’ve seen in our night skies.
When is the next lunar eclipse?
According to Royal Museums Greenwich, we’ll be able to catch the lunar eclipse from the UK in the early hours of the evening on Sunday, September 7.
“The Moon will rise above the horizon just in time for us to see this total lunar eclipse from the UK,” RMG says. “The maximum will occur at 7.33pm BST from the UK, with the eclipse's actual maximum at 7.11pm when the Moon is below the horizon.”
Star gazers will be able to marvel at the blood moon until around 9:55pm across the UK. According to the Met Office, London is set to enjoy clear skies and partial cloud cover, so those in the capital may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the upcoming lunar eclipse.
That being said, it’s always best to avoid light pollution for night sky events, so the further out of the city you are, the better.
People are also encouraged to find a high point with a clear view to the East to get the best view.
For those who can’t find a decent spot to enjoy the lunar eclipse, there’s also another option. You can tune in live to watch it on YouTube too.
