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Best areas to see the Blood Moon as rare partial lunar eclipse to grace skies
A Blood Moon is due to light up the night sky in the early hours of Friday morning, with lucky Brits and US residents able to view the spectacle. A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking direct sunlight from hitting the lunar surface and causes the Earth to cast a shadow on the Moon.
TL;DR
- A partial lunar eclipse, known as a Blood Moon, will occur in the early hours of Friday morning.
- The eclipse happens when Earth moves between the Sun and Moon, blocking sunlight.
- In the UK, the partial eclipse begins at 3:33 am BST, peaking at 5:12 am BST when 90% of the Moon will be covered.
- The best viewing opportunities in the UK are in the south and east of England, but cloud cover may hinder visibility.
- In the US, the East Coast and parts of the Midwest can witness the entire eclipse.
- Lunar eclipses occur twice a year during 'eclipse seasons' due to the tilt of the Moon's orbit.
- This event is a partial lunar eclipse, where only a portion of the Moon enters Earth's dark inner shadow (umbra).
- No special equipment is needed to view the eclipse, as it is safe to watch with the naked eye.
- Visibility depends heavily on weather conditions, with cloud and rain potentially obscuring the view in many areas.