November's full moon - and the longest lunar eclipse in over 500 years - lands tonight.
To be precise, the full moon will occur at 8.57am on November 19, according to the Royal Observatory. This full moon is known as the beaver moon, as it coincides with the time of year when native American tribes traditionally set out their beaver traps.
The lunar eclipse, meanwhile, will begin the same day at 7.19am. It will peak at around 9am and end at 10.47am.
READ MORE - BBC weather: Snow forecast for Bristol area as temperatures plummet
The eclipse is set to be the longest of its kind since February 1440. The next longest eclipse will occur in February 2669, so we'll be waiting a while after tonight.
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.
Get the best stories about the things you love most curated by us and delivered to your inbox every day. Choose what you love here
