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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Andrew McQuarrie

Lunar eclipse - when will it start and how to see 'Half-Blood Moon' in the UK tonight

A partial lunar eclipse is expected this evening - tying in with the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11's launch.

On July 16, 1969, US astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins set off for the now famous moon landing.

Tonight the moon is set to glow red as it rises, eventually reaching around 60 per cent coverage.

During a lunar eclipse, the Earth crosses between the sun and moon, causing a shadow to be cast on the lunar surface.

The partial lunar eclipse partly obscured by low cloud in St Anne's, Bristol (Paul Gillis)

Tonight's is the last lunar eclipse for a few years, so you'd better make sure you take your chance.

If the conditions are clear, UK stargazers will be able to see the eclipse from moonrise, which starts at around 9.16pm for Bristol.

Mid-eclipse is expected to take place around 10.30pm - the best time to view the moon - and the event will end around 1.17am.

As the moon will be low throughout, you will need need an unobstructed south-eastern and southern horizon.

A good tip is to head to a countryside area with little light pollution.

Unlike a solar eclipse, the eclipsed moon is safe to be observed with the naked eye, so you can relax and marvel at the spectacle.

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