Skygazers across the UK could get a chance to witness a spectacular partial lunar eclipse in the early hours of Friday, August 28, as the Earth, Sun and Moon align in the night sky.
The full Moon, which is called the Sturgeon Moon, will pass into Earth’s shadow with much of its surface possibly taking on a reddish glow.
When is the partial lunar eclipse in the UK?
The partial lunar eclipse will occur on Friday, August 28.
In London, the main partial eclipse will kick off at 3:33am BST, when the Moon enters Earth's darkest shadow, known as the umbra.
The eclipse will reach its maximum at approximately 5:12am BST, when around 90% of the Moon will be inside the umbra. The Moon will then be very low in the southwestern sky.
The Moon will be scheduled in London at nearly 6:15am BST, although exact timings will vary depending on location.
Why will the Moon appear red?
During a lunar eclipse, Earth moves between the Moon, blocking direct sunlight from reaching the lunar surface.
However, some sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere. Blue wavelengths scatter more easily, while longer red wavelengths travel through the atmosphere and reach the Moon.
The Moon then reflects the reddish light back toward Earth, creating the eerie Blood Moon effect.
Because this is a partial eclipse, only part of the Moon will enter Earth's darkest shadow.
How to watch the Lunar Eclipse?
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is completely safe to watch with the naked eye.
Notably, it doesn’t require any special eclipse glasses or protective filters.
For a closer view, binoculars or a small telescope can reveal details as Earth's shadow moves across the lunar surface.
