Just two weeks after millions of Brits marveled at the best solar eclipse in a generation, another celestial spectacle is set to take place.
Early tomorrow morning, stargazers across Britain will be able to witness a dramatic partial lunar eclipse.
During the event, more than 90 percent of the moon will disappear into Earth’s shadow.
This phenomenon is expected to turn much of the moon’s surface a striking copper-red color, creating a so-called ‘blood moon’.
The eclipse begins at 2.23am UK time, when the moon enters the outer part of the Earth’s shadow, known as the penumbra.
The real show begins at 3:33 a.m., when the moon begins to move into the darker central shadow, the so-called umbra.
And the spectacle will reach its peak at 5:12 a.m., when only a thin sliver of the moon will remain brightly lit.
If you weren’t able to get your hands on a pair of eclipse glasses, don’t worry; this is completely safe to view with the naked eye.
During the event, more than 90 percent of the moon will disappear into Earth’s shadow. Pictured: a partial lunar eclipse seen from Hampshire in 2025
This phenomenon is expected to turn much of the moon’s surface a striking copper-red color, creating a so-called ‘blood moon’. Pictured: A couple watches a partial lunar eclipse in Devon in 2019
Experts say the eclipse will be visible across Britain, although the moon will be low in the western to southwestern sky as dawn approaches.
Experts say the eclipse will be visible across Britain, although the moon will be low in the western to southwestern sky as dawn approaches.
Observers are advised to find a location with a clear view of the horizon, away from buildings, trees and bright city lights. No telescopes or binoculars are needed, although both can improve vision.
‘You’ll need to get to a high vantage point with a clear view of the south-west horizon to see as much of this eclipse as possible,’ say experts at Royal Museums Greenwich. said.
‘As always when it comes to astronomical events, there is no guarantee that the sky will be clear enough to view this lunar eclipse.
“But we’re keeping our fingers crossed that there are no clouds.”
The reddish hue is caused by sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere being bent and filtered before reaching the moon.
Shorter blue wavelengths are scattered, causing predominantly red and orange light to illuminate the moon’s surface. The same effect is responsible for the vibrant colors you often see at sunrise and sunset.
Although the moon won’t fall completely under Earth’s shadow, it will be the world’s deepest lunar eclipse until the next one on December 31, 2028.
The reddish hue is caused by sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere being bent and filtered before reaching the moon. Pictured: A partial lunar eclipse seen from Whitley Bay in 2019
If you weren’t able to get your hands on a pair of eclipse glasses, don’t worry; this is completely safe to view with the naked eye. Pictured: The moon sets in the morning during a partial lunar eclipse in Dresden, Germany, in 2022
Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a narrow path over the Earth, a lunar eclipse is visible to anyone on the night side of the planet.
It will also be visible from North and South America, Africa and other parts of Europe.
Dr. Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King’s College London, said: ‘During a partial lunar eclipse, the Earth moves between the moon and the sun.
‘The Earth casts a shadow on the Moon, which is called the umbra. Instead of completely eclipsing the moon, it just takes a bite out of it.
‘This partial lunar eclipse will be visible from Britain, the rest of Europe, America and Africa.
‘The best time to view this lunar eclipse in the UK is between 4am and 5am on Friday 28 August.’
The event comes just over a fortnight after the spectacular partial solar eclipse on August 12, which covered up to 96 percent of the sun in some parts of Britain.
Astronomers say the combination is no coincidence, as solar and lunar eclipses often occur two weeks apart during the same eclipse season.
In addition to the partial lunar eclipse, stargazers tonight will have the chance to witness another celestial event: the Alpha Aurigid meteor shower.
This became active on August 25 and is expected to peak around September 1, making the next few days a good time for anyone who wants to get outside and look up.
“The Alpha Aurigids are a relatively small meteor shower, but that doesn’t make them any less interesting for stargazers,” said Alan Jones, astronomy expert at 365 Astronomy.
‘They form when the Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by a comet.
‘As these tiny particles enter our atmosphere at extremely high speeds, they heat up and burn up, creating the bright streaks of light we see as meteors.’
