A total lunar eclipse, also known as a “blood moon”, will be visible from the UK on Sunday night. This rare spectacle will be the first of its kind since 2022, offering a treat for stargazers across the country.
The moon is expected to turn a deep, dark red – often referred to as a “blood moon” – as the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface.
The Met Office explains that the moon will take on this reddish hue because it will be illuminated by light that has passed through the Earth’s atmosphere and has been bent back towards the moon by refraction, scattering blue light and allowing red wavelengths to reach the moon.
Provided the skies remain clear, the eclipse will be observable at approximately 7.30pm. The Met Office recommends that those keen to witness the spectacle should locate a spot with the clearest possible view of the eastern horizon, in readiness for the lunar eclipse to reach its peak in the UK at 7.33pm.
In urban areas, this could mean travelling to elevated ground or a vantage point. The eclipse will be observable with the naked eye and unlike solar eclipses, it poses no danger to view directly as the moon’s reflected light lacks intensity.
Dr Ed Bloomer, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, explained the moon will appear over the UK just in time for observers to catch the final stages of the eclipse. “The moon is pretty unmistakable in the sky, so the most important thing is to face the right direction,” Dr Bloomer advised, reports the Mirror.
“It’ll be rising towards the east, and head southwards over the course of the night. As it rises, the most important thing will be whatever is low on your horizon. A flat landscape, or an elevated position makes for the best visibility – literally so there aren’t things like buildings, trees, or other things in the way.
“A lunar eclipse like this is a great opportunity for observing with kids, too. It isn’t too late for us in the UK, the target is nice and easy and minute by minute you will notice changes (good for short attention spans).”
Sky gazers eager to witness the eclipse should monitor their local weather predictions throughout the weekend, although the Met Office has suggested that the most favourable conditions for spotting the blood moon are likely across the South West and parts of eastern England.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has confirmed that the next partial lunar eclipse won’t take place until August 2026.
The rare lunar phenomenon will also be visible from other regions including India, China, Australia, the Philippines, and some parts of Africa.
Both North and South America will miss out on the total lunar eclipse ‘blood moon’ as it will be morning on that side of the globe during the event.
Blood moons have forever captivated and unsettled civilizations across the planet. Right from Native American to Chinese cultures as well as Norse and South Americans — historically, people have long believed that the appearance of a red-hued moon is a powerful omen which signals divine fury or celestial turmoil.
Biblical texts mirror this interpretation, declaring that “the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the day of the Lord comes, that great and terrible day.”