Stargazers across the UK are being urged not to miss a spectacular lunar eclipse this Friday (28 August), which experts say will be one of the most impressive the country has witnessed in quite some time.
It has already been a memorable few weeks for those with their eyes on the skies. Huge numbers of people stepped outside earlier this month to witness a partial solar eclipse, which blocked out close to 90% of the sun, in what was the most striking example visible from the UK in over two decades. On top of that, the same night offered the chance to see the Perseid meteor shower at its dazzling peak.
Now, with barely a moment to draw breath, another celestial spectacle is around the corner. Astronomy expert Daisy Dobrijevic has taken to Instagram to alert followers to the incoming lunar eclipse, describing it as among the best the UK will be able to see for the foreseeable future.
What causes a lunar eclipse
A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves into a position directly between the sun and the moon, blocking sunlight from reaching the lunar surface. When this occurs, any sunlight that does filter through to the moon must first travel through the Earth's atmosphere. That journey strips away shorter wavelengths of light, the blues and violets, and allows only warmer tones to pass, bathing the moon in a deep reddish-orange glow – giving the lunar eclipse the nickname "blood moon".
Unlike solar eclipses, which are relatively rare from any fixed point on Earth, lunar eclipses happen with far greater regularity. They can occur anywhere between two and five times each year on a global scale. For observers in a specific location, a total lunar eclipse comes around on average once every two and a half years, making Friday's event a noteworthy occasion.
What to expect at maximum eclipse
Speaking in her Instagram video, Daisy said: "The UK is about to get one of its best lunar eclipses for the next couple of years. On the 28th of August, the moon is going to pass through the Earth's shadow, creating a deep, partial lunar eclipse. And don't let the word partial fool you – this one could look seriously impressive."
At maximum eclipse, around 93% of the moon will be inside Earth's dark central shadow, leaving just a thin sliver untouched. In fact, this could be one of the best lunar eclipses we'll see from the UK for the next couple of years. We don't see another total lunar eclipse until December 31st, 2028.
"Because sunlight filtered through Earth's atmosphere can still reach the eclipsed part of the moon, much of it could take on that beautiful reddish-orange colour we associate with the total lunar eclipse, or blood moon."
What time to set your alarm for the lunar eclipse
Catching the eclipse will require a bit of dedication, since it gets underway in the early hours of Friday morning. The partial eclipse is expected to start at around 3:30am, with the event reaching its peak at approximately 10 past five. By that stage, the moon will be sitting low in the western sky as the first hints of dawn begin to emerge.
That low position on the horizon means that anyone hoping to get a good view will need to choose their vantage point carefully. Think about heading to higher ground, such as a hillside, a cliff top, or any open spot facing west with an unobstructed view stretching towards the horizon.
This means that to see the eclipse, you'll want to set your alarm for around 3 am to give yourself a chance to wake up, grab a coffee, and head to your chosen vantage point.
Daisy advised: "If you're in the UK, you can see it, but you're going to need to set an early alarm. The partial eclipse begins around 3:30 am, and by around 10 past five, it will be close to its deepest point as seen from the UK."
"The catch is that by then, the moon will be getting pretty low on the western sky, so you want somewhere with a nice, clear view towards the horizon."
