On Friday, stargazers will have the chance to experience a partial lunar eclipse.
The moon will darken as it moves into the Earth’s shadow, eventually taking on a reddish colour, earning its “blood moon” nickname.
The rare sighting follows a number of breath-taking astrological events, including meteor showers, the Northern Lights and two full moons visible from the UK.
Here’s what a blood moon actually is, and how you can see it in the UK.
What is a blood moon?
A blood moon is when the Earth’s satellite is in total lunar eclipse.
Although a blood moon doesn’t refer to an astronomical phenomenon, the view in the sky is often striking, with the moon often turning a brownish red, like the colour of blood. This is due to light passing through dust in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Lunar eclipses can only happen during a full moon, when the sun fully illuminates the surface.
Usually, the moon orbits in a slightly different plane than the Earth and the sun. However, at certain times the Earth passes in between the moon and the sun and cuts off the sunlight, creating an eclipse.
Will it be visible in the UK?
The blood moon is best seen from North America, most of South America and western Greenland, where a total lunar eclipse will occur.
In the UK, the blood moon will be a partial eclipse, meaning only part of the moon will turn red. It will be visible from 3.57am, becoming particularly noticeable at 5.09am, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
The eclipse will reach its apex at 6.58am but, in the UK, the moon will already have set behind the horizon, so we won’t be able to see it.
How can you see the blood moon?
If you’re up for an early start, its best to find a clear, dark location.
A telescope or camera maximises your chance of a good view. Even a smartphone can pick up the blood moon’s red colour if it can be kept stable and straight.
