Skywatchers across Scotland are being encouraged to set their alarms, with a partial lunar eclipse set to appear in the early morning sky this Friday. The spectacle will take place on Friday, August 28, and will be visible from across the country. However, the Moon's position in the sky will vary depending on where you are.
At its peak, around 93 per cent of the Moon will sit within the darkest part of Earth's shadow, giving it a striking reddish or coppery appearance. This is also known as a "blood moon" due to the deep red colour that glares from the moon.
What causes a partial lunar eclipse
A partial lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, but the three bodies are not perfectly aligned. This means only part of the Moon moves into the darkest central section of Earth's shadow, known as the umbra, while the rest passes through the outer penumbra.
For a partial lunar eclipse to happen, two things need to occur at the same time. There must be a Full Moon, and the Sun, Earth and Moon must be positioned almost in a straight line.
What time the lunar eclipse will be visible in your area
The eclipse will be visible in the early hours of Friday, August 28. If you are planning to stay up late or set an early alarm, these are the timings for some of Scotland's biggest areas.
- Aberdeen – Obscuration 93.91%, cloud coverage 81%, start 2.23am, max viewing 5.12am, end 8.01am
- Dundee – Obscuration 93.91%, cloud coverage 83%, start 2.23am, max viewing 5.12am, end 8.01am
- Edinburgh – Obscuration 93.1%, cloud coverage 76%, start 2.23am, max viewing 5.12am, end 8.01am
- Glasgow – Obscuration 93.91%, cloud coverage 80%, start 2.23am, max viewing 5.12am, end 8.01am
- Inverness – Obscuration 93.91%, cloud coverage 75%, start 2.23am, max viewing 5.12am, end 8.01am
- Lerwick – Obscuration 93.91%, cloud coverage 78%, start 2.23am, max viewing 5.12am, end 8.01am
The eclipse timings are broadly the same across all the regions of Scotland, with the main differences being the amount of the Moon obscured and the expected cloud coverage. For more detailed timing based on your exact location, you can check the official Time and Date website.
The stages of the partial lunar eclipse
The eclipse will happen in several stages as the Moon moves through Earth's shadow. According to the official Time and Date website, these stages are:
- Penumbral eclipse begins: Earth's outer shadow, or penumbra, begins moving across the Moon.
- Partial eclipse begins: The Moon starts entering the darker umbra.
- Maximum eclipse: The largest portion of the Moon is covered by Earth's umbra.
- Partial eclipse ends: The Moon moves out of the umbra.
- Penumbral eclipse ends: The Moon leaves Earth's outer shadow, bringing the eclipse to an end.
With the maximum eclipse expected at around 5.12am, early risers will have the best chance of seeing the Moon take on its coppery-red appearance.
