Britons hoping to see the 'blood moon' lunar eclipse in the early hours of Friday morning have received the Met Office's verdict on viewing conditions. The national weather service says conditions across the UK are expected to be challenging and mixed during the eclipse window.
The event comes just two weeks after the landmark solar eclipse. Friday's alignment will bring a deep partial lunar eclipse, commonly referred to as a "blood moon", in which roughly 93 per cent of the visible lunar surface will pass into Earth's deep umbral shadow.
Best views in southern and eastern England
According to the latest forecast, the best initial viewing opportunities are expected across southern and eastern England, which are forecast to remain relatively clear when the penumbral shadow first touches the Moon at 2.23am on Friday morning. Elsewhere, cloud cover will be present across Cornwall, Wales, the Midlands, northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland from early on.
As the night progresses toward the partial phase at 3.33am and maximum eclipse at 5.12am, cloud amounts are expected to build significantly nationwide, potentially obscuring views even in southern and eastern regions before the spectacle reaches its peak.
Low moon and horizon cloud could block views
Because the eclipse reaches its maximum magnitude while the Moon sits low in the sky prior to setting around 6.15am, forecasters warn that even where clear patches exist overhead, cloud banks resting near the horizon could easily block the view.
Met Office forecasters suggest a hill, coastline or another open location may offer a better view of the event, provided local weather conditions are suitable.
Safe to watch without eye protection
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is safe to watch directly. No specialist eye protection is required, although binoculars may provide a more detailed view if skies are clear.
Friday's event is technically a deep partial lunar eclipse. Nowhere in the world will see the Moon become completely covered by the Earth's umbra, but approximately 93% will enter the darkest part of the shadow at maximum. The term "blood moon" refers to the reddish or copper colour that the eclipsed portion of the Moon may take on, as sunlight passing through the Earth's atmosphere is scattered and bent towards the Moon, with shorter blue wavelengths scattered more strongly while more red light reaches the lunar surface.
