When and where to watch the Blood Moon in the UK this week
Britons are set to enjoy a stunning celestial display this week, with a lunar eclipse due to illuminate the night sky in the coming days. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, causing the satellite to move into Earth's shadow.
TL;DR
- A deep partial lunar eclipse will be visible in the UK and Ireland on August 28.
- Around 93% of the Moon will be covered by Earth's darkest shadow at the peak of the event.
- The eclipse occurs because the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon.
- The event begins at 2:23 am, with the partial phase starting at 3:33 am.
- The peak of the eclipse will be at 5:12 am, with moonset occurring around 6:15 am.
- No special glasses are needed to view the eclipse.
- During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon can appear reddish due to filtered sunlight, earning it the nickname 'Blood Moon'.