Britons will have the chance to see the moon turn an eerie red in the early hours of Friday morning as a spectacular lunar eclipse takes place over the UK. Stargazers across the country could catch a glimpse of the celestial event as the Sun, Earth and Moon align, causing the Earth to cast its shadow across the lunar surface.
The deep partial lunar eclipse will occur in the early hours of August 28, when around 93% of the moon is expected to be covered by the darkest part of Earth's shadow at the peak of the event. However, whether you will actually be able to see the eclipse will depend heavily on the weather, with cloud cover potentially spoiling the view in some parts of the country.
Postcode Checker for Local Forecasts
A postcode checker is available to let you find out the latest forecast for your area and whether you are likely to have clear enough skies to witness the phenomenon. Simply enter your postcode to see the conditions expected where you live and your chances of getting an unobstructed view of the lunar eclipse.
The Met Office has warned that "conditions are expected to be challenging for many hoping to see the eclipse," although southern and eastern England are expected to have the best chance of catching at least part of the spectacle.
Met Office Advice and Timing
A Met Office spokesperson said: "The greatest chance of seeing something is likely to be across southern and eastern England during its earlier stages, before cloud becomes more extensive." They added: "Elsewhere, any temporary breaks in the cloud could still provide brief views."
Unlike the recent solar eclipse on August 12, the lunar eclipse will take place at the same time across the UK, although the Moon's position will vary depending on location. The Moon will enter the lighter outer part of Earth's shadow, known as the penumbra, at 2.23am. The partial phase will then begin at 3.33am as it moves into the darker umbra.
Peak Viewing and Cloud Forecast
The eclipse is due to peak at 5.12am, when around 93% of the Moon will be covered by the darkest part of Earth's shadow. However, the Met Office has warned that cloud is expected to build as the night progresses, potentially obscuring the spectacle for many.
Cloud is forecast across Cornwall and Devon, Wales, the Midlands, parts of northwest England, most of Scotland and Northern Ireland, with patchier cloud in northeast England. The partial eclipse will continue until around 6.51am, although the Moon will set earlier in some areas, including at around 6.15am in London.
Those hoping for the best view should find a high vantage point with a clear view towards the south-western horizon. The Moon's reddish colour is caused by sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere, and unlike a solar eclipse, the event is safe to view with the naked eye.
