In the wee hours of Friday morning, early-rising stargazers in the UK were treated to the sight of a lunar eclipse. The eclipse, which was partial for most of the UK, saw the Earth’s shadow only covering a portion of the Moon. However, some western regions of the UK, along with parts of the Americas and certain Pacific islands, were in line to witness a total lunar eclipse – the first since May 2022 when the Moon took on a deep red hue, creating a mesmerizing “blood Moon” as it moved into Earth’s shadow, gradually darkening before turning a dusky red.
The lunar event kicked off at 05:09 GMT, with stargazers worldwide getting a glimpse of the spectacle through a livestream provided by LA’s Griffith Observatory. A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, obstructing sunlight and casting a shadow on the Moon’s surface. Kathleen Maitland, who was stargazing at Pagham Harbour in West Sussex, described the experience as the sun rising behind the Moon, revealing a slither that eventually turned red – a sight she found truly amazing.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the outer section of Earth’s shadow, known as the penumbra. For a total lunar eclipse to happen, the Earth must block the sunlight hitting the Moon, requiring the three celestial bodies to align perfectly. As a result, only regions of the Earth opposite the Moon during the eclipse witness the total effect, while nearby areas observe a partial eclipse. The phenomenon is often dubbed a “blood Moon” due to the Moon’s deep coppery red appearance during the event, caused by the process of “Rayleigh scattering,” which alters the color of the Moon as it passes through Earth’s atmosphere.
The next total lunar eclipse is slated for early September, with a stronger presence over central and east Asia. Only select parts of the UK will catch a glimpse of the total eclipse effect. Stay updated with uplifting stories and remarkable people from around the globe by signing up for our new weekly newsletter
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